There are some musicians who earn the label “a players player”. Individuals who possess a quality and integrity that peers look up to, not for mere bursts of blazing notes or chops, but for the perfection of their performances and the joy they bring. Such a musician is West coast based Jazz journeyman guitarist Doug MacDonald.

“I’ve simply never lost my love affair for warm notes, a good standard and striving for the best performance”, states the guitarist. In that regard, MacDonald’s musicianship evokes thoughts of such artists as Chet Baker and Sinatra, to name a few, who performed and excelled in a particular style their entire careers while keeping it fresh for their audiences time after time.

Originally from Philadelphia, he began his career in Hawaii, where he played with Trummy Young and Gabe Balthazar, and with Del Courtney at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Relocating to Las Vegas, Doug found himself immersed in a vibrant music scene, and began playing in lounges and showrooms with jazz greats, including Joe Williams, Carl Fontana, Jack Montrose, and Carson Smith.

On to Los Angeles, Doug played in the bands of Bill Holman, Ray Anthony, and John Clayton, and performed and recorded with Jake Hanna, Rosemary Clooney, Jack Sheldon, Bob Cooper, Ross Tompkins, Ray Brown, Buddy Rich, and Ray Charles. Doug also began recording and performing with his own trio and quartet, as well as his 13 piece ensemble, The Jazz Coalition.

And now Doug MacDonald and the Coachella Valley Trío have just released their brand new 10-track recording Live at The Rancho Mirage Library, and as the guitarist states, “Earlier on as a Jazz musician you pay your dues and work hard every minute. I’m fortunate, at this stage of my career, that I am working often and still loving it.”

1. It’s A Blue World
2. Lady Bird
3. Chitlins Con Carne
4. If You Could See Me Now
5. Spanish Eyes
6. Triste
7. Our Miss Brooks
8. Dearly Beloved
9. Fascinating Rhythm
10. A Little Tutu

The West Coast based Jazz journeyman opens his new recording on the, at first languishing, latterly vibrantly upbeat It’s A Blue World and the playful Lady Bird and then we get the funky Chitlins Con Carne, the elegant If You Could See Me Now, and then along comes the congenial finger-snapper, toe-tapping beauty Spanish Eyes.

Along next is the melodically jaunty fare of Triste and the dashingly organic Our Miss Brooks and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the fervently sculpted Dearly Beloved, the music rounding out on the flavorful Fascinating Rhythm, closing on the joyful, short, but sweet, band intro’d A Little Tutu.

Musicians:
Doug MacDonald guitar, Larry Holloway bass, Tim Pleasant drums, and special guest Big Black djembe.

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