Guest Piano Player This Week: Donovan Peters

• When:

  Sep 8, 2010

• Description:

  Donovan started his professional entertainment career in New York as a teenager during the 70’s.  Since then, he has been pleasing and thrilling his audiences with his high energy, yet smooth and sophisticated musical style.

   

  Donovan is an accomplished and critically acclaimed pianist/keyboardist, composer and singer. He is a popular performer in many upscale hotels, resorts and dueling piano bars across the country and abroad.

   

  Donovan (aka “DON”) has performed for every type of function imaginable; up to and including numerous affairs for both the Democratic and Republican political parties.  He has been the headliner for numerous concerts, and has a one-man show as well.

   

  For over 10 years, Donovan has been a cornerstone player at the legendary Pat O’Brien’s Dueling Piano Bar (of New Orleans fame) in their Universal Studios Orlando, Florida location. In fact, he is one of only two original players still associated with that particular venue.

   

  In addition to his musical abilities, Donovan is a professional voice-actor, with many regional radio and television spots to his credit. He has also recently co-starred in his first feature film. 

   

  In his leisure time, Donovan is known by many players and friends for his passion for cooking.  “Music was my hobby before it became a career, so now I cook to relax!” he says.

   

  Over the years, Donovan has had the privilege of working with some legendary stars of the music industry, including Andy Williams and Della Reese. During his time in Chicago, he was fortunate enough to play with some of Chicago’s blues greats. He recently performed tracks on an album that features founding member and drummer of Grammy 60’s and 70’s famed group, BADFINGER, the late Mike Gibbins. 

   

  Donovan has done guest appearances with smooth jazz artists like Steve Reid (formerly of the 70’s multi-Grammy group ABBA, and founding member of smooth jazz and Grammy Award winning group the Rippington’s), as well as smooth jazz solo artist Jeff Kashawa and many others.

   

  As for his dueling piano performances, Donovan epitomizes FUN as he solidly performs Pop, Rock, Classic R&B/Soul, Motown, Country, Blues and timeless standards from artists known and embraced by generations.  You say it…he’ll play it!