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Doug MacDonald: Big Band Extravaganza

By Richard J Salvucci
August 11, 2023
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Some reviewers have been known to complain that contemporary big bands can do most anything but swing. Like all generalizations, there is some merit to the observation. But, like all generalizations, the occasional exception falsifies it. Looking for a big band that pushes all the right buttons? Look no further.

Doug MacDonald

guitar
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Doug MacDonald's "desert jazz" band is an extremely good one. While it might be difficult to make claims about the novelty of what is on offer, the band is tight, it cooks, the solos are excellent, and the whole production can restore one's faith in "seventeen people at work," to update Duke Ellington's characterization.

"Toluca Lake Jazz" is pretty much "Cherokee," with

Paul Kreibich

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Kreibich and

Chuck Berghofer

bass, acoustic
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Chuck Berghofer in the cockpit, where they keep affairs moving throughout. And some lead alto playing here and elsewhere, for sure! If you are an aficionado of twelve-bar blues, "Luces Azules" is going to do the trick, with an especially tasty trumpet solo by the much-lamented

Carl Saunders

trumpet
1942 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Saunders. And how nice to hear an old school stop-time trombone solo by

Glen Berger

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Glen Berger. Berghofer plays a nice cruising solo. A listener thinks Doug McDonald, aside from just playing awfully well throughout, must have spent some time absorbing Bill Holman,

Bill Potts

b.1928

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Potts, and the other who's who of

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich's 1960s' arrangers, because the phrasing and voicing of the reed section are surely evocative of them. "Desert Jazz" spotlights not only McDonald's playing, but a fine trumpet section with

Dan Fornero

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Fornero and

Mike Campagna

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Campagna on split lead.

Aaron Janik

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Janik on trumpet plays a nice

Don Fagerquist

trumpet
b.1927

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Fagerquist-inflected solo.

If a listener spends time on fine section work, arrangements, lead players, and, a bit grudgingly, soloists, these are signs of a musician's big band. The star system is less in evidence than the ensemble work, but then, get a nice blend of both, as on "De Ha." A swinging standard? "But Not For Me" square on top of the beat.

If shouting big bands is the itch you need to scratch, Big Band Extravaganza should do nicely. As

Glenn Miller

trombone
1904 - 1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Glenn Miller famously said, something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. All played with verve, taste, and superb musicianship.

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Track Listing

Toluca Lake Jazz; Rashomon; Luces Azules; Aventura en Triadas; Desert Jazz; Luz de Amour; De Ha; But Not for Me; Minor Mess; Ya Know Bill.

Personnel

Doug MacDonald

guitar

Mike Campagna

trumpet

Dan Fornero

trumpet

Aaron Janik

trumpet

Carl Saunders

trumpet

Kim Richmond

saxophone

Alex Budman

flute

Rickey Woodard

saxophone, tenor

Glen Berger

woodwinds

Tim McKay

saxophone, baritone

Ira Nepus

trombone

Les Benedict

trombone

Ivan Malespin

trombone

Rich Bullock

trombone, bass

Bill Cunliffe

piano

Andy Langham

piano

Chuck Berghofer

bass, acoustic

Paul Kreibich

drums

Album information

Title: Big Band Extravaganza | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced

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