Hello, my name is Matt Dwonszyk. I am a jazz bass player, composer, and music educator from Hartford, CT. The reason for this GoFundMe is to raise money for a recording session featuring the music of Hartford pianist and legend, Don DePalma. Don’s musical career spanned many decades and included positions at the Community Renewal Team’s Outreach Program, as Musical Director at the Artists Collective, and as a driving force behind Hartford’s renowned 880 Club.

Don sadly passed away from Covid-19 in 2021. Surprisingly, after a lifetime of performing with some of the biggest names in jazz, Don never officially released an album featuring his original compositions. For over ten years, I was fortunate to perform with Don. I saw him bring a tremendous spirit and energy to the Hartford music community through his playing and his original music.

After Don passed, Don’s best friend, Rose Roy, started a scholarship in his name. The DePalma Roy Scholarship Fund awards young musicians from the Hartford area $1,000 scholarships to further their college level studies of music. The first recipient of the 2022 DePalma Roy Scholarship was the saxophonist Mike Baril. Mike recently graduated from UCONN with a Masters in Music Education. The 2023 DePalma Roy Scholarship fund will be awarded this July.

The main goal of this GoFundMe campaign is to introduce the world to Don DePalma’s music and to keep his legacy alive through the DePalma Roy Scholarship. With this recording, young musicians can hear the music that Don composed and the musicians that played with him. Every musician on this new recording has played with Don throughout his career.

Steve Davis- trombone

Kris Jenson- tenor saxophone, flute

Joshua Bruneau- trumpet

Linda Ransom- vocals

Tony Davis- guitar

Curtis Torian- drums

Nelson Bello- congas

Matt Dwonszyk- bass

and many special guests!

The funds raised will go directly to studio time, mixing, mastering, production costs, and distribution for the new album. I've written out and arranged ten of Don's compositions and the band has planned two exciting live performances leading up to the recording date. All of the musicians on the recording are donating their time and energy in Don’s honor.

All proceeds of the recording, digital and CD sale, will go directly to the DePalma Roy Scholarship Fund.

Please make a donation to this GoFundMe campaign to make this project a reality and help us to continue Don DePalma’s legacy through his music.