b. Peter Alexander Donald, 15 May 1945, San Francisco, California, USA. In his late teens, Donald studied at Berklee College Of Music, Boston and received drum tuition from Alan Dawson. In the early 70s he returned to California, this time taking up residence in Los Angeles, where he became noted for his sensitive accompaniment to singers who included Carmen McRae. He achieved notable success, however, as a member of the powerful big band co-led by Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin. When Akiyoshi decided to return to New York, Donald remained in Los Angeles, working in films and television studios and playing with musicians including John Abercrombie and Warne Marsh. In 1985, following the death of Nick Ceroli, he took his place in Bob Florence’s Limited Edition big band. An all-round percussionist equally at home in jazz, pop and rock, Donald is very much a part of the new generation of jazz artists, but partly through his early tutelage under Dawson retains strong links with earlier strands of jazz.