Earl MacDonald’s music career began in an unexpected place—playing the electronic organ at Winnipeg Jets hockey games. From these early days, he has grown into a luminary in contemporary jazz, known for his innovative work as a pianist, composer, and arranger. The Hartford Courant describes him as a “magical, musical alchemist of hip hybrids.”
Across seven albums, MacDonald’s unquenchable artistic spirit shines, ranging from intimate quartets to a full 17-piece big band. His album Re:Visions – Works for Jazz Orchestra earned a JUNO Award nomination and widespread critical acclaim. Jazz critic Dan Bilawsky praised him as “a major force in the world of jazz composition,” and its opening track, Friday Night at the Cadillac Club, won the prestigious Sammy Nestico Award.
In 2017, Open Borders marked a pivotal moment in his career, using music to address global injustices. The album earned MacDonald the Connecticut Office of the Arts’ 2020 Artistic Excellence Award. Collaborative ventures, such as the animated short film By Our Love, reflect his guiding philosophy of using music to inspire meaningful conversations about social issues.
A current project combines poetry and music to explore themes of human rights, migration, gun violence prevention, climate change, and racial justice. Through art songs for bass-baritone and piano, enhanced by guest instrumentalists, MacDonald aims to catalyze societal reflection and change.
As Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Connecticut, MacDonald has received multiple AAUP awards for teaching innovation and excellence. He is a sought-after adjudicator and presenter, committed to nurturing the next generation of artist-citizens. His dedication reflects the influence of his mentor, NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron, who recorded MacDonald’s composition Wanton Spirit as the title track of a Grammy-nominated album with Roy Haynes and Charlie Haden.
MacDonald’s versatile career includes serving as Musical Director and Pianist for Maynard Ferguson, as well as accompanying artists such as Diane Schuur, Tom Harrell, Winard Harper, Kenny Wheeler, Dick Oatts and Jerry Bergonzi, to name only a few.
Discover more about his work and his mission to use music as a force for positive change at www.earlmacdonald.com or follow him on Instagram (@earlmacdon) and Facebook (/earl.macdonald).
Downloadable Bios & Photos:
Earl MacDonald’s biographical information and photo may be downloaded here for print purposes (concert and festival programs, etc.). Bios appear in Adobe PDF and MS-Word formats, and were last updated on 2/3/2024.
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