Biography

Don was trained as a classical pianist at Indiana University, where he studied with the internationally renowned concert pianist Abbey Simon. While at Indiana, Don became interested in Jazz and was taken under the wing of jazz pedagogue David Baker. Upon graduating with a degree in piano performance, he moved to New York City, and within a year was conducting his first show on Broadway, Jesus Christ Superstar. Since then, he has enjoyed a busy career as a conductor, pianist, and composer.

Don is currently the Artistic Director for Singers Forum, a non-profit organization located in New York City, which fosters the development and appreciation of the vocal arts.

He is Musical Director for the world premiere of Terrence McNally’s new play, Some Men, at the Philadelphia Theatre Company May 12 - June 11, 2006.

His theatrical credits include, besides Jesus Christ Superstar, the Broadway companies of Dancin’, directed by Bob Fosse, Sweet Charity starring Debbie Allen and directed by Bob Fosse, Little Johnny Jones starring Donnie Osmond, Teaneck Tanzi starring Deborah Harry and Andy Kaufman, Anything Goes starring Patti Lupone, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, among others. He has conducted for the national companies of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Kiss of the Spider Woman starring Chita Rivera.

Television appearances include, among others, the Regis and Kathy Lee show, a two-year run on CBS’s Guiding Light, and a guest appearance, taped for PBS, with John Williams and the Boston Pops featuring Maureen McGovern.

As an accompanist and musical director, Don has worked with a variety of singers, including Peggy Lee, Kiri Te Kanawa,Barbara Cook, Laura Theodore, Betty Buckley, Dixie Carter. Morgana King, Lainie Kazan, Karen Akers, Mary Cleere Haran, Margaret Whiting, Leslie Uggams, Regis Philbin, Tovah Feldshuh, Julius la Rosa, Ricky Martin, and Jose Carreras (with a 70-piece orchestra).

As a jazz performer, Don has played with some of the best in the game, including drummers Jeff Hamilton, Peter Erskine, and Carl Allen; trumpeters Randy Brecker and Warren Vache; legendary guitarist Mundel Lowe; saxophonists Jesse Davis, Lou Marini, and Vincent Haring; and flutist Hubert Laws. He has also played with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and with the Mingus Band.

As a composer, Don has co-written scores for HBO documentaries with his partner, Emmy winner Patty Stotter; he continues to write and orchestrate with Ms. Stotter in their production company Liquid Architecture. Don composed the music for the off-off Broadway show Flypaper, with lyricists Cheryl Paley and Larry Pelligrini (of Tony and Tina’s Wedding). He has composed over 50 songs with lyricists Laura Theodore, Sara Krieger of The New York Voices, and Carol Hall of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Don continues his interest and involvement in classical music as well. He is a member of the trio Tremani, with the principal clarinetist and bassoonist of the Buffalo Philharmonic. He continues to compose serious contemporary music and of course to perform as a freelance musician. He has conducted the Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Syracuse Symphony Orchestras.

A sample of recent activities shows Don’s diverse interests:

• orchestrating the music for the HBO documentary Unchained Melodies,
• playing on the soundtrack for the movie Stuart Little II,
• soloing with the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra,
• teaching jazz piano at the University of Buffalo, and
• accompanying well-known singers like Peggy Lee, Barbara Cook, Mary Cleere Haran, Laura Theodore, Margaret Whiting, Karen Akers, and others.

Don’s first solo album, Together, is attracting attention and praise from audiences, critics, and disk jockeys. Stephen Holden, jazz writer for The New York Times, says this:
“A superb all-around jazz pianist, Don Rebic has nimble fingers in many different pies. Whether paying tribute to Ramsey Lewis, quoting Duke Ellington, slipping into Broadway or classical modes, or taking a jaunt to Brazil, he and his trio display the balance and clarity of a deeply musical ensemble. And his original compositions sparkle with a frisky melodic charm.”

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