Meet Don Kane

A much sought-after musician, Don has played professionally for many decades, having joined the Musican's Union at 14. Don started his career playing clarinet and saxophone, apprenticing with his father's band, the Three Beats, a local San Francisco mainstay which appeared at Nick's Rockaway Beach through the '50s and '60s. Don Studied bass with Chuck Rainey and Carol Kaye and clarinet with John Geanacos, and voice with Faith Winthrop. Don added bass to his repertoire while serving with the U.S. Air Force military band during the Viet Nam era. After receiving an honorable discharge, he began his days as a touring musician, working with Bob Crosby, Xavier Cugat, Sammy Kaye, Vaughn Monroe and others.

The Nashville Years (both of them)

Don was hired as Eddie Arnold's bass player after Arnold had just won CMA entertainer of the year award. Although Eddie Arnold toured, they were based in Nashville, and Don appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and also did session work there for Eddie and others. It was during this period that Don toured and recorded with the country singer Skeeter Davis.

Back in the Bay Area

When Don returned to the Bay Area, he worked with the Cleve Jones Trio, a popular local band, and supported visiting artists including Bob Hope. This is the era in which he began his long collaboration with Val Diamond (currently with Beach Blanket Babylon) and Ross Gualco, who were both with Sounds of Joy. Years later, they were to form the group Crosswinds, which is still performing today. He also sang (baritone) for three years with Masterworks Chorale.

A Setback

In the Summer of 2007 a motorcycle accident made Don take a short break, and Don is forever thankful to pioneering nerve surgeon Dr. Susan MacKinnon and her team at the Center for Advanced Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis Missouri. No, Don doesn't ride anymore.

Today

Don currently plays in various local groups and big bands including the JohnnyCats, the NASA Ames Big Band. He also continues his work with the group Crosswinds, with the new and as yet unnamed group with Lauren Speeth (guitar/vocals/violin), Josh Workman (guitar) and Tammy Hall (piano/keyboards). Don is also active online as a moderator for badassbassplayers.com.

Photos of recent gigs, including a fundraiser at Google for Project Respite, can be seen on the album page on this website. Also on that page, photos from the 'Concert for Hope' at Stanford, where Don stepped in as a last-minute sub for the gospel portion of the concert.