Marshall McDonald

Plas Johnson is a famous recording saxophonist, recognized as the horn behind the Theme of The Pink Panther. Early 2013, I flew to Los Angeles after my band mate and mentor Jackie Kelso (Wrecking Crew Saxophonist)  to visit at Plas…

The Gene Perla Jazz Archive Collection

In February 2020, I was in Westchester County, New York at our place with my wife, her son, and his wife to be.  We had all traveled from Japan together, where I was living…

I've known Randy for many years, and he's not only a great musician, but also a beautiful person, that really exudes genuine care for all the folks he meets.  We had a lot of fun and some real moments.  Hope…

I'm fortunate to been involved in "Calle 54". It's an incredible documentary film by Fernando Trueba, and I am playing in the film behind some dark sunglasses with The Chico O'Farrill Orchestra.

"CALLE 54....stands with The Buena Vista Social Club…

In 1977, I went to see one of my music heroes, David Sanborn at the Leona Theatre in Pittsburgh. It was a packed house, Dave was at his peak, with his regular band featuring his guitar comrade the late and…

One of the first musicians that I met…

My father was a Professor of Oral Surgery at University of Pittsburgh Dental School.

Pitt Mag Article

Oral History 

The chief dental officer for the U.S. Army shares some of the wisdom he learned at Pitt. 

Written by Adam Reger 

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The New Testament Basie Band had "swagger'.   They had a walk, and the talk,  they had the groove of life. They knew they could play, and were at the top of the heap.  And the man who guided that and…

We lost Barry Harris just recently, he lived a rich and full life of dignity, a true Jazz Warrior.  I always noticed that Barry sung things to his students.  I just had a long talk with Dr. Nelson Harrison and…

Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker!  The Mozart of Jazz.  To learn Jazz you have to go through Charles Parker.  

I studied Mr. Parker by listening and transcribing his solos, and reading books about him. Charlie Parker is the most important musician…

I was doing a Zoom lesson with a student about playing over There Will Never Be Another You. I was teaching the idea of playing a simple phrase, then running the Licks he had been shedding. Simple. Then Practice. Simple…

So.  We go into the studio to record some tracks.  This one is a Grammy Nominated track for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals, Clint Holmes vocals featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater.  Arrangement by Gordon Goodwin.  I need to add some flavor…

I had the privilege of going to the Buffet Showroom New York City, in 2015 and play testing the new alto, and taking it home for two weeks.   I really enjoyed this alto.  It has a dark sound, reminds me…

Basie!  There's a Jazz Club in Japan called Club Basie, Count Basie himself was there every year, and I visited the club while on tour with Basie there almost every year.  A jazz promoter, who got his nickname from The…

So much debate about who is best in jazz. It’s not a sport. But there are some Gifted ones who bring a message. They usually don’t stay long.  Armed with technique and substance, soul and swing, they say, “I can’t…

A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas! (Concord Records) 

Founded in Kansas City in 1935, the Count Basie Orchestra celebrates its 80th anniversary with the release of its first Christmas album. With delightful assists from guests including the Christmas mainstay Johnny Mathis…

This weeks blog features a player whom I respect highly- Marshall McDonald. This is a player who I would call a master artist who's woodwind and saxophone playing, history speak for themselves. Face it, the street cred Marshall has is…

31.08. – Happy Birthday !!! Whether you heard him playing Lead alto during his 18 year tenure with The Count Basie Orchestra, or playing tenor saxophone with Paquito D’Rivera or baritone saxophone with Abdullah Ibrahim or clarinet solos with The…

Kobe Jazz People

神戸での素晴しいインタビュー。日本のファンが…