Age, Biography and Wiki

Don Preston (Donald Ward Preston) was born on 21 September, 1932 in Flint, Michigan, U.S., is an American jazz and rock keyboardist. Discover Don Preston's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 92 years old?

Popular As Donald Ward Preston
Occupation Musician
Age 92 years old
Zodiac Sign Virgo
Born 21 September, 1932
Birthday 21 September
Birthplace Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 21 September. He is a member of famous Composer with the age 92 years old group.

Don Preston Height, Weight & Measurements

At 92 years old, Don Preston height is 5' 10½" (1.79 m) .

Physical Status
Height 5' 10½" (1.79 m)
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Don Preston's Wife?

His wife is Roena DeWild (? - ?) ( divorced), Tina (? - present)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Roena DeWild (? - ?) ( divorced), Tina (? - present)
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Don Preston Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Don Preston worth at the age of 92 years old? Don Preston’s income source is mostly from being a successful Composer. He is from United States. We have estimated Don Preston's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Composer

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Timeline

1932

Donald Ward Preston (born September 21, 1932) is an American jazz and rock keyboardist.

1950

In 1950, Preston began a stint in the Army.

He served in Trieste, Italy and playing in the Army band (initially piano, bass drum and glockenspiel) alongside Herbie Mann.

In Trie, te he shared a barracks with fellow recruit Buzz Gardner, who introduced him to contemporary classical composers such as Béla Bartók, Anton Webern, Alban Berg and Arnold Schoenberg.

1953

Upon his return to Detroit in 1953, Preston started playing bass with pianist Tommy Flanagan.

He also sat in with Elvin Jones and others at the city's West End Cafe where Yusef Lateef conducted twice-a-week jam sessions with Milt Jackson's brother, bassist Alvin Jackson.

1957

Moving to Los Angeles in 1957, Preston played with the Hal McIntyre Orchestra and toured Canada backing Nat King Cole.

1958

Between 1958 and 1965, Preston played with a number of jazz artists, including Shorty Rogers, Charlie Haden, Paul Bley, Emil Richards and Paul Beaver.

1960

He is known for working with Frank Zappa from the mid 1960s to the mid 1970s.

Preston was born into a family of musicians in Detroit and began studying music at an early age.

His father played saxophone and trumpet, and had been offered the lead trumpet chair in the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

Upon moving the family to Detroit, Don's father became the staff arranger for NBC, and was the composer-in-residence for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Don took sporadic lessons on the piano from the age of about five.

1966

In 1966, Preston began a long collaboration with Frank Zappa as the keyboardist of the original Mothers of Invention.

1970

Don Preston is no relation to the Don Preston who played lead guitar for Joe Cocker and Leon Russell in the 1970s.

However, the former has admitted to accidentally receiving (and unwittingly cashing) a royalty check intended for the latter some years ago.

1974

Preston performed and recorded with Zappa until 1974.

During that time he was music director for Meredith Monk (with whom he had previously shared a house) and started recording and performing electronic music.

1998

Preston took up the bass while in the 98th Army band.

2000

He is a co-founder of the Grandmothers and is still active with the band, completing an extensive tour in 2000 and later tours through 2016.

2001

Preston also appeared on-stage as a guest keyboardist with the Zappa tribute band Project/Object (featuring Zappa alumni Ike Willis and Napoleon Murphy Brock) for several shows in 2001, 2002 and 2016

From his Cryptogramophone Records biography:

"Often compared to Cecil Taylor for his style of attacking the keys with intense passion, Preston’s solos also reflect intellect, technical skills and a storyteller's way with a line. His playing, like his compositions, ranges across panoramas of mood and emotion, all colored with the freedom that comes from possessing remarkable facility.

Preston has played and recorded with the likes of John Lennon, Peter Erskine and Robby Krieger of The Doors.

He has also scored more than 20 feature films and 14 plays.

He's the winner of numerous awards, and has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and London Philharmonic.

Known to jazz and keyboard aficionados for his pioneering contributions in the use of synthesizers, legendary clarinetist and composer John Carter dubbed Don Preston the "father of modern synthesis."

Don has performed with many other artists, including: Lou Rawls, Al Jarreau, Billy Daniels, Johnnie Ray, Vaughn Monroe, Connie Francis, Art Davis, Carla Bley, Joe Beck, Leo Sayer, Charles Lloyd, Nelson Riddle, J.R. Monterose, Flo & Eddie (Howard Kaylan & Mark Volman of The Turtles), Don Ellis, Bobby Bradford, Michael Mantler and Yoko Ono.

2002

In 2002, Don Preston joined forces with Frank Zappa alumni Roy Estrada and Napoleon Murphy Brock, along with guitarist Ken Rosser, and drummer/percussionist Christopher Garcia to form the Grande Mothers Re:Invented.

Since then, they have performed at numerous concerts and festivals throughout America, Canada and Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Germany, Holland, Italy, Norway and Switzerland.

2005

(In 2005, guitarist, Miroslav Tadic replaced Ken Rosser in the lineup.) Guitarist/bassist Robbie "Seahag" Mangano has filled in for Miroslav Tadic on Grande Mothers tours in 2009 and 2010, and Tom Fowler is scheduled to replace Roy Estrada on bass.

Recently Preston has lectured at Cornell, Harvard and Yale Universities, Sarah Lawrence College, U of A and Queen’s University Belfast.

2010

In 2010, Preston, together with his lifelong friend Bunk Gardner, started a collaboration with guitar player/composer Jon Larsen and Zonic Entertainment.

The first recordings were an audio-autobiographical production, The Don Preston Story, followed by the electronic music, contemporary space drama Colliding Galaxies.

Preston released his own book entitled "Listen".

At this time, Preston and Bunk Gardner began touring as the Don & Bunk Show and have two tours under their belt in the eastern part of the US.

They are now touring as a trio with Chris Garcia as The Grandmothers Of Invention.

2016

Preston is now writing the music for the film Dancing With Were-wolves, which will be released in July 2016.

As Don Preston Trio (with Joel Hamilton and Alex Cline)

As Don Preston's Akashic Ensemble