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Julian MacDonough

Julian MacDonough is an award winning American jazz musician, studio drummer, and educator based in the Pacific NW. Since 1991, Julian has performed with over 200 musical acts and recorded 150+ albums to date. He is honored to have toured with such notables as Jimmy Heath, Harold Mabern, Joey DeFranscesco, Terell Stafford, Peter Bernstein, Joe Magnarelli, Gary Smulyan, Marcus Printup, Walter Banding Jr., and Dr. Lonnie Smith.

A passionate educator, Julian holds over 20 years teaching experience with students of all ages in both private lessons and in leading combo classes. He has guest taught at institutions throughout the Pacific NW, as an adjunct professor at Cornish College of the Arts, Central Washington University, and Western Washington University, with the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band, the Ferndale High School Jazz Band, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Port Townsend Jazz Festival, and as a guest artist instructor at institutions throughout western Canada and the US. He truly loves to share ideas with those ready to stretch their abilities.

Julian is an active studio drummer and percussionist. Some of his notable recordings include "Live At Frankie's Jazz Club" featuring Harold Mabern and Terell Stafford, Jay Thomas’ "The Promise," Star Anna’s "Go To Hell," Aaron Parks’ "First Romance," the Mike Allen Quartet’s "A Hip Cosmos," Jon Hamar’s "Idyl Wild" featuring Rich Perry, Kasey Anderson’s "Nowhere Nights," and the Miles Black Trio featuring Grant Stewart. Julian has been an active member of pit orchestras for musicals including Man of La Mancha, West Side Story, Oklahoma!, Wizard of Oz, Falsettos, and 1940’s Radio Hour.

In 2014, Julian opened the Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center in downtown Bellingham, WA where he presented weekly concerts featuring the best regional and national names in contemporary jazz. Julian spearheaded the WJMAC Jazz Walk, Bellingham's annual jazz music festival as well as leading weekly combo classes.

Awards

2018 recipient of the Bellingham Mayor’s Arts Award 2017 Sonny Award for the Arts 2017 Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award, Northwest Jazz Record of the Year for Syncopated Classic by Greg Ruby and the Rhythm Runners 2003 Western Canadian Music Award, Outstanding Jazz Recording of the Year for Dialect by the Mike Allen Trio


Tags

Primary Instrument

Drums

Location

Seattle

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Private Drum Instructor since 1993. • Julian has instructed weekly lessons to students of all ages. He has led master classes in drumming at institutions across North America and in Europe.

Photos

Videos

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