His versatility, creative open mindedness, and his other great skill, composing, is displayed in abundance on his new album, and his first for Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records, The Long Wait. The album is a musical expression of living in a complicated, fast-paced, but always interesting metropolis that is New York City. The album’s title also expresses the fact that it was written during the long period of isolation we collectively experienced in 2020. The Long Wait is a tour-de-force, with a depth and breadth of styles, feels, passion, joy and virtuosity. All of the qualities that have McDonald’s phone ringing off the hook are here, and then some . . .
"Liebish" is a tribute to the incredible depth of the scene in New York, where legends roam, and rising stars often cross paths with some of the greatest musical minds of the art form. In this case, the great David Liebman, “who opened my world up to endless musical possibilities,” said McDonald. "Night Scenes" and "Afterwards" are musical reflections of, “how overcoming mental and physical struggles have helped me become more confident and sure-footed in life,” stated McDonald. "Dealin'', "In the Heights", and "A Wee Bit of Fun," all attempt to paint a picture of day to day life in a city which seems to be both frenetic and chaotic, but also hopeful and inspiring. McDonald comments on two compositions near and dear to his heart, “’A Chance Encounter’" and ‘Feng-I’, dedicated to my wife Emily (Feng-I), provide a softer side to the album and express the wonderful encounters that are possible throughout this city and in life. Finally, "Going Back, Moving Forward," is a rumination that sometimes one has to deal with the past before we are allowed to move forward to the next experience. McDonald elaborated, that, “it has been a great pleasure for me to create this music, and I sincerely hope that you enjoy it now that the long wait is over.”
Trombonist Matt McDonald has performed at numerous jazz festivals and venues around the world, including North Sea, Montreux, Umbria, Spoleto, and Ottawa Jazz Festivals, as well as, The Village Vanguard, The Blue Note, Birdland, The Jazz Standard, Smalls, Carnegie Hall, and many other prestigious venues.
Since moving to New York in 2003, he has performed with countless ensembles (mentioned above), and also the Mambo Legends Orchestra, Shaggy, Little Steven and Disciples of Soul, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Danny Seraphine’s “CTA” and Zafem. McDonald has been invited to Manizales and Medellin, Colombia to perform as one of the “Promising Artists of the 21st Century.” He also curated a very successful jazz series in Harlem at “Silvana” for over a decade, featuring some of the most versatile musicians in NYC. McDonald received his Bachelor of Music at DePaul University in Chicago, his Masters of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, as well as receiving his Artist Diploma from the Juilliard School, studying with Wycliffe Gordon.
Upcoming Appearances:
- May 23 – Manuel Valera Big Band, Terraza 7, Queens, NY
- May 24 – Matthew McDonald CD Release Celebration, Silvana, NYC
- June 16 – Terraza Big Band, Terraza 7, Queens, NY
- June 16 – Peter Louis, Shrine World Music Venue, NYC
- June 25 – NY Jazzharmonic, Washington Sq. Park, NYC
- June 30 – Band of Bones, Chris & St. Stephen's Church, NYC
- July 6 – Max Seigel Nonet, Deer Head Inn, Delaware Water Gap, PA
- July 14 – Peter Louis, Shrine World Music Venue, NYC
- July 22 – John Eckert Nonet, Westbeth, NYC
- August 25 - Peter Louis, Shrine World Music Venue, NYC
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