Marshall McDonald

Male

United States

Profile Information:

Favorite website
http://www.marshallmcdonald.com
Pittsburgh Connection
I was born in Homewood on Lemington Ave and raised in a suburb of Pittsburgh. My mother went to Westinghouse High and used to watch Errol Garner practice. I studied clarinet at Carnegie-Mellon University as a child with William Balawadjer, later with Nestor Koval and started as a bio/chem major and then studied Jazz Music with Dr. Nathan Davis at Pitt. My father taught at the Dental School of University of Pittsburgh and my mother held a Masters degree in Sociology from Pitt, and in later years she worked with the Urban League in Pittsburgh and taught at Seton Hill College. My family chose to integrate a suburb of Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel in 1965 when I was 5 years old, and it was a historic move, but maybe didn't change many things in that area. Currently live in Westchester County, NY just outside of New York City.
Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers
Kenny Blake, Eric Kloss, Dwayne Dolphin, Don Aliquo Jr., Leon Dorsey, Ned Gould, Frank Mallah, Nelson Harrison, Cecil Brooks, Cecil Brooks III, Nathan Davis, Kenny Powell, Tony Cambell, Roger Humpries, Tim Tucker

Past: Stanley Turrentine, Tommy Turrentine, George Benson, Earl Fartha Hines, Roy Eldridge, Art Blakey, Billy Eckstine, Dodo Marmarosa, Ray Brown, Ahmad Jamal, Errol Garner, Grover Mitchell, Billy May
About Me:
Former Lead Alto Saxophone of The Count Basie Orchestra and a 20 year former band member. A participant on 6 Grammy Nominated Recordings with The Count Basie Orchestra, The United Nation Orchestra and The Chico O'Farrill Orchestra.
Was a regular with Paquito D’Rivera,Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Abdullah Ibrahim, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and others. Born August 31, 1959 in Pittsburgh, PA, Marshall upholds the traditions of the music created by the Jazz Masters. A seasoned reedman, he is respected for his ability to play all of the saxophones and woodwinds.
Website:
http://www.marshallmcdonald.com
Artist or Fan
artist

Comment Wall:

  • Dr. Nelson Harrison

    You are one of the bright lights from Pittsburgh. Thank you for joining. Help everyone to keep abreast of your activities an thoughts here.

    Feb 4, 2008

  • Janelle Burdell

    Oh my! From Tim Tucker to Nelson to Jimmy Ford---it's an honor. Long overdue! May we get to swing soon! ciao, -janelle

    Mar 8, 2008

  • Jazz Surgery w/ Tony Campbell

    Yo bro, good to hear from you. You are in the throne now, where you belong. Keep the tradition alive.

    Peace, TC

    Apr 14, 2008

  • Marly Ikeda

    Glad to meet you Marshall!
    Thanks for your friendship.
    Peace and Blessings.
    Kisses,
    May

    Jun 24, 2008

  • Dave Yoho

    Hello Marshall, It's a pleasure to connect with you here on jazzburgher. peace, Dave Yoho

    Jun 29, 2008

  • Kevin Amos

    Hey man it's good to hear from you. The video was real cool.

    Still on the air at Carnegie-Mellon. I'm holding down Sunday mornings still. Not too long ago I heard from George Gee.

    Take care...talk to you soon.

    Kevin

    Sep 19, 2008