CD REVIEW: Doug MacDonald Duo, "Toluca Lake Jazz"

Guitar Master and Composer Doug MacDonald has just released a new CD, "Toluca Lake Jazz".  The CD is a string Duo with Doug and world-class Bassist, Harvey Newmark.  This talented Duo had some creative fun interpreting 7 standards and 6 original tunes composed by Doug.  The inspiration for the CD came from the long history of live Jazz in the area.  The Lakeside Golf Club was a place where many musicians performed regularly.  The Club was also a destination for old Hollywood where many famous Hollywood giants were members including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and W.C.Fields.  This CD is meant to be a tribute to the wonderful Jazz that was performed here and in local Jazz clubs in the area and to a wonderful tradition of live Jazz music.

Doug MacDonald and Harvey Newmark are two of the most in-demand musicians in the country but especially in the Southern California area where they both reside.  

Doug MacDonald has an interesting music background.  He started in career in Hawaii and then relocated to Las Vegas where the music scene was bursting with opportunities to perform.  While in Vegas, Doug performed with many of the Jazz greats like Joe Williams, Carl Fontana, Jack Montrose and Carson Smith.  After many years performing in the Vegas scene, Doug moved to LA and performed with Bill Holman, Ray Anthony and John Clayton.  He recorded with Jake Hanna, Rosemary Clooney, Jack Sheldon, Bob Cooper, Ross Tompkins, Ray Brown Buddy Rich and Ray Charles. You won't find any musician busier than Doug MacDonald!  He has a regular Wednesday gig at AJ's on the Green in Cathedral City California and still finds time to compose and tour participating in 300 performances a year from coast to coast.  He also broadcasts a Jazz radio show on KAJI, a terrific local Jazz station in Palm Desert, CA.  

Harvey Newmark was born in Hollywood California and startedlearning the Bass while he was in middle school.  It was love at first sight of the Bass, and by the time Harvey entered Hollywood High School he was working with Bands playing for private events on weekends.  After graduating from college, Harvey joined the Buddy Rich Band and at the age of twenty was asked to join the Lawrence Welk Band.  Harvey has toured and or recorded with Terrence Blanchard, Carmen McRae, Joe Henderson, Anita O'Day,  Cal Trader,  the Baja Marimbo Band,  Milt Jackson, Eddy Jefferson, Pepper Adams and Terry Gibbs.

The joining of these two wonderful experienced musicians together has produced a delightful musical Duo of great music!  It is fun sitting back and listening to how they interpret old standards and also experience Doug MacDonald's creative composing.  

I am already hoping to hear more from this talented Duo in the future with the appearance of "Toluca Lake Duo II".  I have attached two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first is an interesting MaxDonald original titled "New World".  Doug shared that he wrote this song based on the changes of "It's a Blue World".  The second song is the standard "Easy Living" with some outstanding Bass work from Harvey Newmark.

PLAYLIST:

MUSICIANS:

Doug MacDonald-Guitar and Composer for cuts 5, 6, 7, 9. 11, & 13

Harvey Newmark- Bass

            "New World"                                                          

              "Easy Living"                                                              

CD Review: Mikole Kaar, "Give Em Heaven"

Anyone who has visited the Southern California live Jazz scene has probably run into Composer, Arranger and Reed player, Mikole Kaar.  Mikole Kaar has dedicated his entire life to live performing and even now when he has gigs 5 to 6 times a week, the first time he has a free night, you will find him sitting-in with other Jazz groups.  Playing since he was 9 years old, Mikole has studied Clarinet at Cal State and then became a Flute major at University of San Diego.

Mikole has just published a new CD, "Give Em Heaven" and it has been getting excellent reviews.  There is a mix of 10 songs on the CD, some great Jazz standards and a few written by Mikole for this CD.  The Jazz is hot and cool and so is the sound as Mikole has gathered 3 seasoned musicians to support him on this CD.  His supporting cast is made up of the fabulous guitar player and Desert favorite, Doug MacDonald who never disappoints his large Jazz fan base with his great playing, Paul Kreibich is on Drums and Harvey Newmark is on Bass.  Together they make beautiful music!

This CD has a wonderful groove and I especially like the pairing of up-tempo tunes with a couple of outstanding ballads.  I love the interpretation of the old Jazz standard "Invitation" that still sounds haunting every time I hear it.  One cut that Mikole composed, "A Song For Claire" has been selected to be on this year's "Desert Jam CD".  Profits from this CD go to "Wellness in the Desert Charity".  I also loved cut 4, "Darlicious".  I have to say that the influence of Doug MacDonald's wonderful guitar work on Mikole's playing is clear.  These two seasoned pros have been playing live performances together for a while now and they work perfectly together.  You can buy the CD or any of the tunes on Spotify, YouTube and Google and you can go on site to hear some of the great stuff Mikole has put down.  Mikole plays all over town and currently does gigs at "Oscars" in Palm Springs among other live music spots in the Valley.

I found a "YouTube" of Mikole Kaar playing the flute for the song "Comin' Home" with the Jackson Garrett Band to give you a sample of Mikole's playing style.  Enjoy!

The Players:

Mikole Kaar: Composer, Arrange, Tenor, Flute and Vocals
Doug MacDonald: Guitar
Paul Kreibich: Drums
Harvey Newmark: Bass

Playlist:
1. "Give Em Heaven"
2. "Invitation"
3. "Coming Home Baby"
4. "Darlicious"
5. "A Song For Claire"
6. 'Blues For For Jack"
7, "Dynamic Dynamo"
8. "Black Ballet"
9. "Imagine"
10. "Please Make Up Your Mind"