 Born in New York City, Ernie Donadelle evolved from a rich musical heritage. His grandmother was a singer and appeared with Jimmy Lunceford at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Starting in the fourth grade as a drummer with the St. Helena Cadet Corps and periods of playing piano and flute, Ernie fell in love with the bass at age 15. Early influences of R&B, Top 40, and rock propelled Ernie to Berklee College of Music in Boston. Having completed two years at Berklee, he went on the road with Julie Grant & Crystal Vision (show band), touring for 2 years on the East Coast, Canada, Aruba, and appeared on television in Curacao. 
In 1982, Ernie took his prodigious talents to Los Angeles. In LA, he recorded and landed on the Billboard charts with Richard “Dimples” Fields (“Neckgrabber”), performed with Alexander O’Neal, and other area bands (original, R&B, Top 40).In 1993, Ernie and friends formed the band Luna in LA. With Luna and later Straight from the Heart, Ernie toured extensively for the next five years through Asia - playing in hotels, Hard Rock Cafe’s, and Fashion Cafe’s in Bangkok, Japan, Hong Kong (once performing for Princess Di), The Philippines, Taipei, and Indonesia. After touring in Spain, the band dissolved, and Ernie moved to Raleigh, NC. He has performed with jazz groups Moment’s Notice and The Stanley Baird Group, and was formerly with The Troupers Dance Band. Ernie’s energy and enthusiasm is contagious and engaging both on and off stage. He also is a talented transcriber of musician’s original music, and is available to write charts/ lead sheets. Ernie can be contacted at 919-618-8833 or ernie.dee48@yahoo.com. |