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(for full review click on links) |
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Over the past decade, Toronto tenor saxophonist Kirk MacDonald has established a national identity. His throaty, full-bodied 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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Finally MacDonald whose tone is the essence of tenor sax, packed to the gunwhales with harmonics and overtones, began to do that thing that he does - an endless stream of bop - like lines which he pours out, without repeating himself, as though he wasn't simply playing licks, but tapping into a subterranean jet-stream of melodic invention. Steve Pederson - Chronicle Herald He has honed his sound to a fine edge, and now has a tone so large and hard that he almost sounds like he's playing an electric instrument. James Hale - Ottawa Citizen |
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Record Reviews Whenever Kirk MacDonald heads up a session you can be sure you're in for a treat. Pure and Simple is just that, four top flight musicians having a great blow in the true jazz tradition. The cohesion amongst these players is remarkable as they weave in and out of ideas propelling each tune to thoroughly reveal itself. Roger Martindill - Planet Jazz Magazine The compositions are well defined and the delights many...This is music that leaves a glow. Jerry D'Souza - CODA Tenor saxophonist Kirk MacDonald may have recorded his finest session yet. The music was conceived with all of the players in mind and that may explain the ease at which pianist John Taylor, bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Terry Clarke are able to transverse the often complex compositional territory. As always, MacDonald's tone is clear and his solos are very focused. Another excellent outing. - The Jazz Report Magazine This is a CD that bears repeated listening with satisfaction attending every hearing. While the music is often dense and detailed, there is a justness in the proportions, a balance among the solos, and a seamlessness in the ensemble that only comes when first-rate players run full-out on intuition guided by superb aural perception. Steve Pederson - Chronicle Herald From the first notes of the rugged “On The Sierra Nevada” the session is hard-bop heaven...All the soloists animate the charts, turning up the improv heat as guitarist Lorne Lofsky, bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Jerry Fuller generate the glowing warmth of an open fire. Geoff Chapman - The Toronto Star
A powerful session recorded in Halifax by the Toronto based tenor is his best yet...MacDonald's third outing as a leader pinpoints his fervour and fire, insistent search for new sounds and hard yet opulent tone. Geoff Chapman-The Toronto Star ...this is a strong, hard bop date that finds Kirk MacDonald (a player who deserves to be much better known) in prime form. Scott Yanow - The Jazz Report
MacDonald sounds stronger and more beautiful than ever. His impressive musicality in both his playing and writing continues to inspire. Campbell Ryga- The Jazz Report MacDonald and group indulge in a seamless, creative stream-of-consciousness playing. Ideas seem to burst from the horn as he maneuvers through intricate chord changes and melodies. Dave Nathan - All Music Guide
Tenor saxophonist Kirk MacDonald plays to the deep strengths of his instrument on "The Revellers" regarding tradition without becoming tradition's slave. Randall McIllroy - Winnipeg Free Press MacDonald has made a fine, slippery style out of his considerable technical facility and improvisational stamina: his solos are characteristically smooth, middle dashes that take unlikely twists and turns with unlikelier ease. Mark Miller - The Globe and Mail It's a measure of MacDonald's inventiveness that he manages to find new things to say with war horses like "Embraceable You", and "Body and Soul". Paul Wells - Montreal Gazette As long as Kirk MacDonald continues to ply his musical wares, the bop flame will continue to glow.— Dave Nathan - All Music Guide |
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