the Earl MacDonald 6

The Earl MacDonald 6 has been described as “ingratiating and delightful, if not startlingly original.” The handpicked, stellar roster of musicians share a like-minded, post-bop group aesthetic. Although working a well-worn field, MacDonald never compromised in seeking to present original music with his personal stamp on it. Sure, the Jazztet and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers were influences, but recreating the sound of a past era was never his intention. This is no derivative jazz sextet. Each player has a distinctive, contemporary improvisational voice and a wealth of international playing experience.

In January 2003, MacDonald was awarded a Connecticut Commission on the Arts grant to write and record new works with this ensemble. The Earl MacDonald 6 was named “Best Jazz Group” in the Hartford Advocate’s Readers’ Poll, following the release of their debut CD “Echoes In The Night.”

Al Merritt summed up the album in his review for jazznow.com:

The inspired solo work flows from the clever writing contained in Earl MacDonald’s charts, and the smooth overall aspect of the music is both swinging and tuneful. Nice sounds with excellent solos and a hip rhythm section.

The Owe Joe, by saxophonist Dick Oatts.

 

oatts

Joe Magnarelli – trumpet

Dick Oatts – alto sax

Steve Davis – trombone

Earl MacDonald – piano

Dave Santoro – bass

Tom Melito – drums

 

 

The sound of this sextet is unique and if they strived for originality, they achieved it with total success. 4 Stars.
~ John Gilbert, ejazznews.com, March 2005

ejazznews

 

Comments are closed.