For nearly two decades, pianist Earl MacDonald and guitarist performed together in an intimate duo setting that prioritized clarity, swing, and deep listening. This project served as a space for direct engagement with the jazz tradition—unadorned, conversational, and grounded in time, touch, and shared musical values.
The duo’s repertoire drew primarily from the American Songbook and classic jazz standards, approached with respect for lineage and an emphasis on interaction rather than display. Performances took place in a wide range of settings, from concert halls to informal listening spaces, always with the goal of creating music that felt personal, present, and responsive.
While the MacDonald–Maher Duo is no longer active—following Maher’s retirement and relocation—the project represents an important chapter in MacDonald’s performance life, reinforcing his long-standing commitment to straight-ahead jazz as a living, breathing practice rather than a nostalgic exercise.
Doug Maher and Earl MacDonald
Douglas Maher earned his B.M. in Jazz Guitar Performance from Berklee College of Music and his M.M. in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami, along with Music Education Certification from Central Connecticut State University. Over the course of a distinguished career, he served as a jazz educator, clinician, and ensemble director at both the high school and collegiate levels.
Maher directed award-winning ensembles at Manchester High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, and previously taught at Berklee College of Music, the University of Connecticut, and Central Connecticut State University. His professional performance career includes service as a guitarist with The Army Blues, the jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army Band, performing at the White House and venues throughout the United States.
The MacDonald–Maher Duo stands as a document of shared musical values: trust, swing, economy, and a belief that the simplest formats often demand the deepest musicianship.