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Doug MacDonald and the L.A. All-Star Octet: Overtones
ByLike such illustrious forebears as Gerry Mulligan, Marty Paich, Bill Holman, Dave Brubeck and others, MacDonald knows how to make a mid-size group sparkle, using all its parts to design a sturdy and animated engine to power the bus. As for wheels, he can rely on the talents of alto Kim Richmond, tenor Rickey Woodard, trombonist Ira Nepus and trumpeter Aaron Janik on the front line, ably supported by pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Roy McCurdy. As noted, each one an all-star in his own realm.
The best way to open any session, octet or otherwise, is to come out swinging, as MacDonald and his teammates do on "Night by Night" (a moonlit version of the standard "Day by Day"), on which everyone but McCurdy solos. "Bossa for PK," which follows, is a zephyr-like bow to drummer and educator Paul Kreibich who sits in on shaker. The groove is wide and deep on "Blues by Eight," which precedes the genial mid-tempo jazz waltz, "Hortense," and ardent "Lover Man." Funk squeezes through the door on "Over #21," but not enough to tip the straight-on scales, thanks in part to plain-spoken solos by Nepus, Woodard and MacDonald. "Ground Up" embraces an ambience reminiscent of Paich and Holman, as does the prancing finale, "Rickey Speaking," written for Woodard, one of southern California's partially hidden treasures.
With MacDonald, Richmond, Woodard, Nepus and Cunliffe on their game and trading well-aimed volleys, there is no cause for complaint, while Janik, a new name here, also speaks with assurance. As for Berghofer and McCurdy, one couldn't ask for a more capable and responsive rhythm component. Even so, it is MacDonald's ear as much as his hands that enriches the enterprise and raises Overtones from admirable to superior.
Track Listing
Night by Night; Bossa for PK; Blues by Eight; Hortense; Lover Man; Over #21; Ground Up; Rickey Speaking.
Personnel
Doug MacDonald
guitarAaron Janik
trumpetKim Richmond
saxophoneRickey Woodard
saxophoneIra Nepus
tromboneBill Cunliffe
pianoChuck Berghofer
bass, acousticRoy McCurdy
drumsAlbum information
Title: Overtones | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
Tags
Doug MacDonald and the L.A. All-Star Octet
Album Review
Jack Bowers
Overtones
Self Produced
Doug MacDonald
Gerry Mulligan
Marty Paich
Bill Holman
Dave Brubeck
Kim Richmond
Rickey Woodard
Ira Nepus
Aaron Janik
Bill Cunliffe
Chuck Berghofer
Roy McCurdy
Paul Kreibich