For those unaware, 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.

Throughout his career the guitarist has caught the attention of noted jazz writers and critics. Michael Nastos of All Music Guide wrote, “a veteran guitarist who know his influences cold, and consistently plays to his strong suit.” Scott Yanow wrote of MacDonald, “...a fine bop-based guitarist in the tradition of Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, and Joe Pass.”

His brand new album is entitled Overtones and features Doug along with the L.A. All-Star Octet.

1. Night By Night (7:10)
2. Bossa For PK (6:25)
3. Blues By Eight (5:30)
4. Hortense (6:00)
5. Lover Man (4:59)
6. Over #21 (4:03)
7. Ground Up (5:06)
8. Rickey Speaking (4:30)

With the guitarist stating that “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,” Doug opens on the free flowing, percussion-fueled Night By Night and then brings us the smooth jazz, late night sensibilities of Bossa For PK, the finger-snapping, rhymed narrative notes of Blues By Eight, and then comes the gently playful Hortense.

Up next is the expansive, ambiently velvet touch of Lover Man which is itself followed by the percussional jam fest of Over #21, the album rounding out (all too soon for my money) on the finessed swing stylings of Ground Up, coming to a righteous close on the elegant dancefloor swirl of Rickey Speaking.

Official Website

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Doug MacDonald @ Instagram