DON HATFIELD - Saxophones, Flute, and Music Arranger

Donny is our lead sax man and music arranger for the horn section. Donny grew up in a musical family and started playing at the age of 8. By the time he entered high school, he was already performing regularly in rock bands and dance orchestras. After performing professionally around the world, Donny has returned to Kansas City and brings a wide variety of musical talent and experience to the band.

Donny covers all the horns: Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo and Oboe (sorry, no bassoon!). His jazzy, aggressive style was inspired by great sax players like John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Lenny Pickett, Grover Washington, Michael Brecker and Phil Woods.

Donny worked his way through college playing in some of the leading showbands in the area. While completing his music degree, he joined the US Air Force and toured much of the U.S. and Europe with their Command Band Jazz Ensemble. During this time, he also polished his skills in composition, arranging and studio recording.

Donny went on to perform with such artists as Lou Rawls, The Temptations, Ike and Tina Turner, David Clayton-Thomas, Sonny and Cher, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Wayne Newton, Elvis Presley, The Mills Brothers, Charlie Rich, The Ed Sullivan Show and The Roarin’ Red Dogs ( www.thereddogs.net ) In 2005, Donny was inducted into The Kansas Music Hall of Fame and The Iowa Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.