DOUG MACDONALD

SEXTET SESSION

Dmac Music

Doug MacDonald, guitar; Josh Nelson, piano; Mike Gurrola, bass; Charles Ruggiero, drums; Doug Webb, tenor saxophone; Aaron Janik, trumpet.

Guitarist and composer, Doug MacDonald leads an all-star sextet of Southern California based musicians.  Although he has headed many types of jazz ensembles, and boasts twenty-six record releases as a bandleader, this is his first project working with a somewhat more modern jazz combo.  MacDonald has teamed with tenor saxophone giant, Doug Webb, and the inventive and in-demand pianist, Josh Nelson.  During this recording, Doug is playing a spanking, brand-new Fender Telecaster guitar.

MacDonald has composed five of the eight songs on this “Sextet Session” album.  They open with his composition called, “Desert Blues.”   It swings at a moderate tempo as Doug MacDonald steps center stage and serenades us on guitar. The next one to step into my listening room is Doug Webb.  Webb plays a soulful solo on his tenor sax tinged with the blues.  Josh Nelson has a feathery light touch on the piano and offers an inspired solo.  Another original tune by MacDonald is the third track, “Gee’s Flat” that offers a catchy melody and invites Mike Gurrola to step forward and take an impressive upright bass solo.  On the familiar standard, “You’ve Changed” MacDonald’s guitar solo double-times the ballad and skips over the pretty melody, letting his guitar strings tell the sad story in MacDonald’s own creative way.  On the tune “At” MacDonald steps from traditional jazz to a more contemporary path, with the drums of Charles Ruggiero laying down a funk beat.  Doug Webb enters on his tenor saxophone, offering an unapologetic Straight-ahead improvised solo over the funky beat. I love it!  Aaron Janik brings his trumpet to the party.  However, I’m more comfortable when they return to the Straight-ahead groove on “Try Ads.”  Once again, Doug Webb is a star on tenor saxophone.  I’m also impressed with MacDonald’s composition, “Si Minor” that gives Josh Nelson an opportunity to stretch-out and explore the entire 88-keys on his piano.  Nelson is quite inspirational and always creative. This song gave spotlight to Doug Webb and bassist Gurrola. MacDonald’s original song is one of my favorites on this album. They even give Charles Ruggiero time to shine on his trap drums.

MacDonald cut his guitar teeth working with jazz and blues greats like Ray Charles, Buddy Rich, Jack Sheldon, Lorez Alexandria, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and many others.  This album showcases his composer and arranging skills.  The all-star band he’s contracted infuses his musical ideas with professional excellence and excitement.

Dee Dee McNeil

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