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Kirk MacDonald

With an established reputation as one of Canada’s leading saxophonists, Kirk MacDonald cut his first record at the age of thir-teen. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, and has worked with many leading musicians in a variety of musical genres. He has performed on over fifty CDs as both leader and sideman, and has participated in numerous national broadcast recordings for CBC Radio. In addition to performing extensively throughout Canada, he has also performed in the USA, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Monaco, Australia, Korea, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.

For over thirty years Kirk has worked and recorded with many leading Canadian, U.S. and International jazz musicians including Claude Ranger, Dave Young, Sam Noto, Sonny Greenwich, Kenny Wheeler, Eddie Henderson, Harold Mabern, Walter Bishop Jr., Tom Harrell, Lorne Lofsky, Bob Mover, Pat LaBarbera, John Taylor, Ron McClure, Jack DeJohnette, Mike Stern, Jim McNeely, Bob Mintzer, Vince Mendoza, John Clayton, Chris Potter, Glenn Ferris, Maria Schneider, Dave Grusin, Danilo Perez, Adam Rogers, Dennis Mackrel, Nancy Walker, Barry Romberg, Andre White, Rob Smith, Brian Dickinson, Denny Christianson, Bernie Senensky, Phil Nimmons, James Moody, Rosemary Clooney, Humber College Faculty Ensemble.

Over 100 performances of his compositions appear on 24 CDs, both as leader on his own recordings as well as on recordings by other artists. Kirk’s most recent activities include the release of Family Suite (2008), an 11 part suite for jazz quartet on Romhog Records, and Songbook Vol. I (2009) – a collection of his compositions for jazz quartet, on ADDO Jazz Records, with Songbook Vol. II (2010). Kirk also leads the Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra (KMJO), a 19-piece all-star ensemble dedicated to performing his original compositions and featuring arrangements by leading Canadian and U.S. Writers. The KMJO released its debut record-ing Deep Shadows in March 2011, and in May of 2012 released a re-working of Family Suite for Large Ensemble. In the fall of 2013 Kirk’s eleventh recording Symmetry was released, featuring jazz great Tom Harrell. His latest recording Vista Obscura was released in 2014 and features jazz legend Harold Mabern and special guest saxophonist Pat LaBarbera.

Kirk has been active as an educator for 27 years at leading jazz studies programs such as at the University of Toronto and McGill University. Kirk is presently a full time professor at Humber College in Toronto, where he holds a cross appointment in the Music Degree Program and the Community Music School. Kirk also acts as the Artistic Director for the “Youth Jazz Canada” project and directs the “National Youth Jazz Combo”.

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33
Album Review

Canadian Jazz Collective: Septology

Read "Septology" reviewed by Jack Bowers


The Canadian Jazz Collective is a septet comprised of several of that country's leading jazz musicians. Trumpeter Derrick Gardner, tenor saxophonist Kirk MacDonald and guitarist Lorne Lofsky certainly need no introduction to jazz fans, in Canada or most anywhere else, nor do pianist Brian Dickinson, bassist Neil Swainson, drummer Bernd Reiter and clarinetist Virginia MacDonald. Septology, a compendium of eight songs written by Gardner, Lofsky or MacDonald, was recorded at a studio in Germany's Black Forest during a European tour ...

4
Album Review

Lorne Lofsky: This Song Is New

Read "This Song Is New" reviewed by Friedrich Kunzmann


The liner notes to This Song is New explain how the term “old school" suits guitarist Lorne Lofsky just fine. Not in its pejorative sense, but rather in the spirit of a master of an old art, now considered to be quaint. It is indeed a fitting description for the compositions and performances that constitute the guitarist's first recording of original material in over 20 years. More a player than a composer, the former Oscar Peterson collaborator presents a strong ...

8
Album Review

Lorne Lofsky: This Song Is New

Read "This Song Is New" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Over the years the guitar has earned a unique position in the annals of jazz. At times strident, ear-splitting and generally distasteful, at others one of the loveliest, most amiable and pleasing instruments in any circumstance, especially when placed in the capable hands of a master such as Canada's Lorne Lofsky. This is the guitar as it should be played, smooth and mellow but never without due diligence or an emphatic purpose in mind. The quartet date This Song Is ...

6
Album Review

KMJO: Common Ground

Read "Common Ground" reviewed by Jack Bowers


KMJO is shorthand for the Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra, and Common Ground is the third recording by the splendid Toronto-based group, following the well-received Deep Shadows (2011) and Family Suite for Large Ensemble (2012). This time around, the orchestra performs compositions by MacDonald arranged by one of Canada's premier co-pilots, Joe Sullivan. The KMJO, MacDonald asserts, is comprised of world-class musicians, an assurance that is impressively confirmed on every number, not only by the ensemble's unerring consonance ...

10
Album Review

Kirk MacDonald: Symmetry

Read "Symmetry" reviewed by Edward Blanco


It is no secret that Canada is the home of some of the finest jazz musicins in the world and Toronto-based saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, a long-time active educator, is one of those established stars and veteran of the Canadian jazz scene. He has appeared on over fifty albums as both a sideman and leader and Symmetry, his eleventh album as leader, which had been previously unveiled in Canada only, is now available in the U.S. and internationally for audiences everywhere ...

4
Album Review

Kirk MacDonald: Symmetry

Read "Symmetry" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Following two splendid albums as leader of his own big band (Deep Shadows, Family Suite for Large Jazz Orchestra), Toronto-based saxophonist / educator Kirk MacDonald has returned to a small-group format for Symmetry, the thirteenth recording on which his name has been listed atop the marquee. In this case, however, any member of MacDonald's quintet could have easily laid claim to the honor, as every one is an all-star in his own right, from the renowned trumpeter Tom Harrell, who ...

190
Album Review

Kirk MacDonald Quartet: Songbook Vol. 2

Read "Songbook Vol. 2" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Saxophonist Kirk MacDonald--an exemplary player, composer, band leader and educator--has established himself as one of Canada's premier jazz musicians. His compositions are geared to mainstream jazz, but he uses several tributaries to blood them and generate nuggets of energy and rumination. MacDonald's integrity as a player is defined by his versatility. He can forge ahead and find unexpected nooks of delight that tantalize, or he can go deep into the fabric of a ballad and spin a ...

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16

Performance / Tour

Juno Award Winner Kirk MacDonald At Dizzy's Club On October 20th

Juno Award Winner Kirk MacDonald At Dizzy's Club On October 20th

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

U.S. premiere of the critically acclaimed new CD Vista Obscura featuring Harold Mabern One Night Only! October 20 at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Canadian saxophonist Kirk MacDonald's “Vista Obscura" with legendary Harold Mabern recently won the 2015 Juno Award for Best Jazz Album Solo. The Juno Awards are comparable to the U.S. Grammys—and this swingin' band blows into Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola for one night only on October 20th! “One of Canada's leading saxophonists for over 25 years—Kirk's musical inquisitiveness seems to ...

Kirk MacDonald has maintained his integrity as one of Canada’s leading saxophonists for over 25 years. As a composer and performer, Kirk has managed to turn out exceptional musical projects every few years that reflect his musical growth and direction. Pat LaBarbera – 2009 (liner notes from “Songbook Vol. I)

Over the past decade, Toronto tenor saxophonist Kirk MacDonald has established a national identity. His throaty, fullbodied sound graces numerous recordings, and his performances across the country have made him a must see attraction. Coupled with superb compositional abilities, MacDonald’s complete musicianship gives him a creative edge. Greg Sutherland – THE JAZZ REPORT

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Photos

Concerts

Mar 22 Fri

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Magpie

TPR Records
2024

buy

Septology

HGBS
2023

buy

This Song Is New

Modica Music
2021

buy

Common Ground

Addo Records
2016

buy

Symmetry

Addo Records
2014

buy

Vista Obscura

Addo Records
2014

buy

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