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:

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  • Kathleen Gorman

    Hi Marshall,
    A pleasure to meet you here in the network. Wow, Basie band and other amazing groups that you have worked with. You are
    one of the true spirits of Jazz today. Yes, I have heard Nikki, a very talented young lady, and going far, I am sure.
    Thanks for stopping by to say hello. All the best,

    Kathleen

    Sep 19, 2008

  • George Caldwell

    Marshall, what up man, thanks for the shout-out; I didn't know you were from Pittsburgh, I thought you were from New York. Anyway, good to be here on the Pittsburgh Jazznet. Hoipe to get together and play soon. Take care.
    peace,
    -G

    Sep 19, 2008

  • Calvin Stemley

    Hey Marshall and how have you been ?You sound great on your website.When will you be back in Pittsburgh?

    Take Care
    Calvin Stemley

    Aug 29, 2009