DOUG MacDONALD

SANTA MONICA SESSION

Dmac Music

Doug MacDonald, guitar; Bill Cantos, piano/organ/Fender Rhodes; Hussain Jiffry, bass; Kevin Winard, drums/percussion.

MacDonald is one of those Southern California-based jazz musicians who continuously grinds out new albums.   He has released ten albums during the past seven years, varying the personnel on each project to include some of the best musicians in the business.  On this project, MacDonald has arranged familiar standard jazz tunes into Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz.  The group opens with Tadd Dameron’s “Lady Bird” tune.

MacDonald has included three well-written original compositions: “Minor Makeup,” is one with a beautiful melody set to a cha-cha tempo. “Tele Time” is another MacDonald original, (a tribute to his new Telecaster guitar) and the third is called “DMac.”

On “Minor Makeup” Hussain Jiffry takes a noteworthy solo on electric bass and Bill Cantos shows off his master piano skills.  They slow their groove down on “Prisoner of Love” a 1930s ballad that MacDonald turns into a pretty bolero, featuring his expressive guitar throughout this arrangement.  Crooner Russ Columbo originally recorded this song. It became a big hit for the vocalist. The tune “Walkin’” is always a crowd pleaser.  Doug MacDonald’s smart arrangement as a Latin-Swing number refreshes this popular jazz tune.

Kevin Winard pushes the rhythms steadily ahead with gusto and compliment, using his percussion and drum implementation to fatten the soundscape. Doug MacDonald brings his fresh, Latin perspective to the project. Led by his guitar, the ensemble creates a delightful album. Also important is the organ, keyboard and piano addition of Bill Cantos. His talents, work hand-in-hand with Hussain Jiffry on bass to create a strong foundational rhythm section.  Doug MacDonald rides atop this dynamic trio on his guitar, spotlighting his arranger proclivities along with his unique sound.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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