Marshall McDonald

"A great player is not necessarily a great teacher nor is a great teacher necessarily a great player but when one fines a person who is both you have your self a great educator. This is how I would describe Marshall McDonald. He is, in my opinion, both a great player and a great teacher. My saying is, if you have not experience it you cannot teach it.  Marshall knows his music and has an easy and pleasant manner before a class of students. 
He demonstrates his competency and ability far above the average clinician and/or teacher in his field.  Students need to hear a clinician like Marshall who can not only talk about jazz and musicianship but can also demonstrate what he is talking about."

Joe Riposo
Former Director of Jazz Studies
Syracuse University

“I have rarely seen a student more talented, dedicated and focused as Marshall was.  He is intelligent, meticulous and focused in his pursuit to become one of the best Lead Alto saxophonists of Jazz.  The fact that Marshall was chose as Lead Alto of the Count Basie Orchestra is evidence of his commitment to excellence.  His ability to communicate with students coupled with his keen sense of judgment, and willingness to spend time with students who need extra help make him an excellent teacher.”

Dr. Nathan Davis
Professor Emeritus 
Founder of Jazz Studies University of Pittsburgh

"I have known Marshall McDonald for over two decades.  He is perhaps best known as lead alto saxophonist for the Count Basie Orchestra, but he is equally skilled on tenor, baritone, and soprano saxophones, flute, and clarinet.  Marshall is not only a gifted musician.  He is smart, level-headed, and at the same time serious but also good-humored.  He brings these qualities to any musical situation.  For years, I used him in bands of top NYC professionals I assembled to sight-read the pieces of my jazz composition students at the New School University.   He brought all of these qualities to this challenging educational situation."

Bill Kirchner
Professor of Jazz Arranging
The New School

"Just want to say thank you for the time and the information of music, the history of music, and what you experienced on your journey to greatness.  In the first 3 lessons I had with you, I have accomplished more than from all of my teachers from the past 40 years. With you I'm not in the wilderness wondering if I'm going to ever understand the language of music. Three lessons! On my 1st lesson, I played a song by ear, that never happened before with any of my teachers!  So that's why I want to say THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME THE RIGHT WAY. Thank you and thanks a MILLION ." 

Jerome
Houston, TX

"Marshall is not only a seasoned professional musician with decades of real-world performing experience but also an outstanding educator.  His passion for music is undeniable and his teaching pedagogy profoundly effective. He has an empathetic and caring personality—He truly cares for his students and their progress. His approach to jazz education is one that is based on the original way that Jazz was passed down through the ages. This produces jazz musicians that are rooted in the old traditions of harmony and melody and also have amazing ears! I highly recommend the beginning, intermediate or advanced students of jazz to spend some time learning from Marshall."

Ryan
Military Musician
Syracuse, NY

私はサソフォーン歴２０年ほどになる７６才の老人ですが、聴き手の心に伝わる音色を求めて、Marshall McDonald氏にレッスンをお願いしました。彼の教え方は常に優しく丁寧で、かつ機知に富んでいてとても面白く、毎回のレッスンが楽しみです。今から始める方にも、私のように悪い癖がついてしまった演奏家にも、彼のレッスンを受けることをお勧めします。 彼の教え方は常に優しく丁寧で、かつ機知に富んでいてとても面白く、毎回のレッスンが楽しみです。今から始める方にも、私のように悪い癖がついてしまった演奏家にも、彼のレッスンを受けることをお勧めします。

“I'm a 76-year-old man who has been playing the saxophone for about 20 years, and I asked Marshall McDonald for lessons because I wanted to produce a tone that would touch the hearts of my listeners.  His teaching method is always kind and careful, yet witty and very interesting, so I look forward to every lesson.  I would recommend his lessons to both those who are just starting out, and performers who, like me, have developed bad habits”.

“Marshall expertly combines tradition and technique. Bring both a deep understanding of the culture, harmony, and melody to the benefit of those fortunate enough to be mentored by him.” 

Enoc
Peekskill, NY
 
"Most teachers tell you what to play. The best thing about Marshall is that he shows you how to apply what he has taught you. I am 65 years old and play lead alto in several big bands. Yet with all of this experience, Marshall has helped me to completely transform my sound and become a more complete lead player. I’ve taken lessons from two other teachers for one and a half years each and sounded no better improvising at the end. Marshall has changed my entire concept of soloing and within a few months, helped me to become significantly better. I couldn’t recommend him more highly."

Carmen P.
Pittsburgh, PA