Don Preston

**Don Preston** (b. 1932) is an American jazz and rock keyboardist, composer, and pioneering synthesist best known as a founding member of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. Born in Detroit to a musical family, he studied piano from childhood, played in the Army band alongside Herbie Mann, and came up in Detroit’s rich jazz scene with Tommy Flanagan, Elvin Jones, and Yusef Lateef. After moving to Los Angeles, he worked with Nat King Cole, Shorty Rogers, and Paul Bley before joining Zappa in 1966. With the Mothers, Preston helped shape some of Zappa’s most iconic recordings through 1974. Beyond Zappa, he co-founded The Grandmothers, toured internationally with various projects, and has recorded extensively as a leader and collaborator. A pioneer in electronic music dubbed the “father of modern synthesis,” he has performed with artists from John Lennon to Carla Bley, scored over 20 films, and appeared with major orchestras. Preston continues to perform, compose, and inspire across genres.

Doors at 8 PM

$20 adv (+DICE fees)/$25 door

($15 for Initiate members, $10 for Sponsor members, $0 +1 for Patron members, www.healingforcerecords.com/memberships)

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