MacDonald, Doug
dMac Music, 2019, CD
Instrument: Guitar
Issue: 26.2
Jazz Ruler Type: BigBand
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 81
O’s Notes: Guitarist Doug MacDonald gathers ten fine west coast-based musicians including saxophonist Rickey Woodard and vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake. There are excellent arrangements of tunes like “Body And Soul”, “Tune Up” and “Maiden Voyage”. This large ensemble is easy to appreciate because there’s no race to see who can play the loudest or any over-assertion of simultaneous, full power of the band. Hats off to McDonnell for mature modulation! Jazz Marathon is indeed an enduring engagement with sixteen well-developed songs over two discs. It was recorded live at Marriott’s Hangar 18 restaurant at LAX, a fitting location for this west coast, cool jazz.
Publicist: Jazz Promo Services