Donny's Blues

“Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma” is a tribute album shining light on the legendary pianist from Hartford, Connecticut. The majority of the album was recorded after Don’s passing due to Covid in May of 2021. It features an all-star line up, all former band mates of Don, playing their hearts out on Don’s original compositions and arrangements.  The world-renowned trombonist Steve Davis, legendary vocalist Linda Ransom and saxophone extraordinaire Kris Jensen all tip their hats to the maestro on “Donny Time”. There are also a handful of young lions featured on this album including drummer Jonathan Barber, trumpet player Joshua Bruneua and guitarist Tony Davis, all of whom were mentored by Don. For extra flavor, percussionist Nelson Bello, drummer Curtis Torian and spoken word artist Alexis Roy, give “Donny Time” a unique sound that stands strong. Don even crashes the party himself on a few tracks salvaged from a stellar performance at the 2011 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series in Bushnell Park.   It is important to mention the producers of this beautiful album, trombonist Rosie Roy and bassist Matt Dwonszyk. They made it so all of the proceeds of “Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma” will go to the DePalma Roy Scholarship Fund set up in Don’s memory. This scholarship is awarded annually to a high school music student attending Music College. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the album go to the DePalma Roy Scholarship Fund keeping Don’s music and spirit alive for generations to come. For more information or to make a donation, please visit thedepalmaroyscholarship.com

It's Donny Time

In Walked Bud

Matt Dwonszyk is an active NYC bassist, composer, arranger and educator with a Masters in Jazz Performance from Purchase College. 

Matt Dwonszyk has performed with Steve Davis, Abraham Burton, and Larry Willis. With the Purchase College Big Band, Matt performed at the Blue Note with Terrell Stafford and at Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club with Steve Turre. 

As a sideman, Matt is on Josh Bruneau’s cd “Bright Idea” recorded live at Smalls Jazz Club as well as Jovan Alexandre’s cd “Collective Consciousness”. He was musical director/arranger for South African vocalist Nonhlanhla Kheswa’s cd “Meadowlands, Stolen Jazz” recorded live at Joe’s Pub and is also featured on June Bisantz’s cd  “It’s Always You”.

In 2010, Matt was awarded in Down Beat for Original Song / Outstanding Performance and was award again in 2013 for his arrangement of “What A Wonderful World”. He was accepted to the 2015 Bosyie Lowery Jazz Living Residency for his original compositions. 

Matt has taught part time at the University of Hartford, Greater Hartford Academy or Performing Arts, Simsbury Arts Academy, and the Artist Collective. He has provided services as a bass ringer at Trinity College, Litchfield Jazz Camp, and the Pat Metheny National Guitar Workshop.

Growing up Hartford, CT, Matt’s music education began at the Greater Hartford Academy of Performing Arts and the Artist Collective. He graduated from the Hartt School of Music in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree and from Purchase College in 2015 with a master’s degree, both in jazz performance. He studied with Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Todd Coolman and John Faddis.

Through the Greater Hartford Academy of Performing Arts, Matt performed at the JVC Jazz Festival in NYC and the Baikal Jazz Festival in Yakutsk, Siberia. He has performed at the NYC Winter Jazz Festival, Litchfield Jazz Festival, Hartford Jazz Festival, New Haven Jazz Festival and the Jazz & Colors Festival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Matt has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C apart of the VSA International Young Soloists and performs frequently around New York City.
