Born: August 28, 1935 Primary Instrument: Sax, soprano
Reedman/bandleader Stan McDonald (Blue Horizon Jazz Band), who's especially admired for his soaring soprano sax playing in the Sidney Bechet tradition, recalls his many musical adventures with jazz greats and the years when he helped build the superb musical reputation of the New Black Eagle Jazz Band. Stan is the subject of jazz writer George Borgman’s feature article of the February 2003 issue of the MISSISSIPPI RAG with Stan’s photo on the cover, entitled, “Stan McDonald, Soaring Sax in the Bechet Tradition.”Lots of photos (historic and current) illustrate the interesting chronicle of this highly talented musician who now leads the excellent, in-demand Blue Horizon Jazz Band.
Stan McDonald and the Blue Horizon Jazz Band have been honored by being featured on JAZZ RHYTHM, Dave Radlauer’s syndicated show heard nationally on public radio stations:
Visiting Stan McDonald:
Musical rarities and reminiscences from a half-century in jazz.
Part 1: Featuring McDonald’s early years Part 2: The genius of Sidney Bechet Part 3: Stan joins the Masters JAZZ RHYTHM has received the 2011 Gabriel award for national release radio programming in Entertainment/Arts during 2010. Excerpts representing the series were submitted from the programs, “Benny Goodman’s Kingdom of Swing” and “Visiting Stan McDonald.”
You can listen to the series at www.jazzhotbigstep.com. The following links will take you directly to the sections about Stan.
Stan McDonald Program http://jazzhotbigstep.com/50401.html
Stan McDonald Biography and Article http://jazzhotbigstep.com/50801.html
Stan McDonald Bonus audio http://jazzhotbigstep.com/53301.html
Awards:
MISSISSIPPI RAG: Top 5 on soprano sax.
GABRIEL AWARD: JAZZ RHYTHM has received the 2011 Gabriel
award for national release radio programming in
Entertainment/Arts during 2010 which included music of and
interviews with Stan McDonald.
Last Updated: February 12, 2013
EVENING GAZETTE, Worcester, Massachusetts
”Stan McDonald's Blue Horizon...is better than almost any
band you're likely to find in the swinging clubs along
Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where the hot and gutsy
sounds of traditional jazz and blues originated.”
MIDDLESEX NEWS, Framingham, Massachusetts
”McDonald and the band touched the sky, capping the night
with a madcap arrangement of Swanee River that had the place
jumping.”
ARTS JUBILEE '86, Conway, New Hampshire
”If you haven't heard the classic jazz of Sidney Bechet or
Jelly Roll Morton, by the end of the performance you will
know why the blue Horizon lovingly, joyously continues to
breathe life into their music.”
JAZZ NOTES, Cape Cod Jazz Society
”The Blue Horizon Jazz Band is notable for its rich and
beautiful music that rewards the quiet listener as much as
it tends to incite those who prefer to dance...A perfect
combination.”
NEW YORK TIMES jazz critic John Wilson, on Stan McDonald, in
HIGH FIDELITY
”A superb clarinetist and soprano saxophonist...a gloriously
full bodied Bechet stylist.”
”...A gloriously full-bodied Bechet stylist.”
John S. Wilson, HIGH
FIDELITY MAGAZINE, 1983
“McDonald's soprano sax wails and sails with all the fire
and aggressive control of the incomparable Bechet...”
George Kay (reviewer for the New Orleans Jazz Club 1980)
“Among the groups soloist
soprano saxophonist Stan McDonald was outstanding in
his evocations of Sidney Bechet...”
Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe Jazz Festival March 1979
“McDonald in a mellow “Song of Songs” was the loveliest
moment of the evening”
Bruce Laird, THE NEWS JOURNAL, Wilmington, Delaware March
24, 1979 (review of concert
at the Grand Opera House)
“...Stan McDonald is an emotional player. On a strictly
musical basis, he is the most impressive member of Black
Eagle. If you close your eyes, you could swear that Johnny
Dodds, Omer Simeon and Sidney Bechet had come back to life.
Charles Guiliano, JAZZ NEW ENGLAND 1975
