Doug MacDonald & the Tarmac Ensemble Live at Hanger 18: Jazz Marathon 4

Doug MacDonald & the Tarmac Ensemble
Live at Hanger 18: Jazz Marathon 4
dmacmusic

This is the fourth recording of a "jazz marathon" event put on by Don Thomson. Alternating between two separate ensembles, one has the format for continuous music for the event held at the Hanger 18 restaurant at the Marriott LAX Hotel. The Tarmac Ensemble is, of course, a play on the fact this takes place at an airport hotel. I have been quite impressed with guitarist MacDonald's recent recordings. He is the leader here joined by vibes player Charlie Shoemake, pianist Joe Bagg, alto saxophonist, flutist and arranger Kim Richmond, trumpeter Ron Stout, trombonist Ira Nepus, and tenor saxophonist Rickey Woodward. Harvey Newkirk and John B Williams are on bass, and Kendall Kay and Roy McCurdy are on drums. There are 14 jazz classics and standards performed, and MacDonald contributed two originals. In the brief liner notes, the contribution of Kim Richmond to the West Coast jazz scene of the 196s is stated.

This is a collection of sixteen wonderfully played straight-ahead jazz starting with MacDonald's swinging "San Fernando Boulevard." MacDonald is a fluid, fleet, and inventive guitarist, whether soloing or chording behind Richmond on flute. It is followed by a lovely ballad, "Dreamsville," with Shoemake's crystalline vibes adding to the delight of this elegant performance. There is a playful "Lollipops and Roses" that again features MacDonald and Shoemake. "I Thought About You" is an excellent solo guitar performance. Except for the opening track with Richmond and the solo performance, these selections are only with the rhythm section, including Harvey Newkirk and Kendall Kay.

Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage" has John B Williams and Roy McCurdy as part of the rhythm section. It is taken slightly quicker than Hancock's original recording. Stout takes a fiery trumpet solo, after which MacDonald displays his taste and creativity, and followed by saxophonist Woodward's robust tenor sax. There is the hard-swinging "Pennies From Heaven," that opens with trombonist Nepus soaring over the other horns over a performance graced by Richmond's exquisite arrangement.

While the back cover indicates the Gershwins' "Strike Up the Band," closes the first CD, it, in fact, opens the second CD, which returns us the same group that began this recording. Shoemake and the leader are featured while bassist Newkirk anchors and propels this rendition. Richmond's flute adds to the charm of MacDonald's other original, "LL." The rhythms sway like a breezy day on a Rio beach for the bossa nova, "Someone To Light Up My Life." It is a feature for MacDonald while Shoemake's vibes provide a shimmering backdrop. Richmond did the handsome arrangement for a relaxed interpretation of "Body and Soul." This is a feature for Stout's romantic trumpet and Richmond's alto sax. On "Where or When," Woodward shows what a superb ballad player he is.

Everybody takes their turn on a rousing "Tune Up" that provides a coda on nearly two hours of outstanding jazz that took flight from Hanger 18 that memorable July 2019 evening.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the January-February 2020 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 388). Here is "Tune Up" from this recording.