Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene
February 2015
Larry McDonough Quartet, Angels, Kings, My Favorite Things (LM Jazz)
Pianist Larry McDonough’s Angels, Kings, My Favorite Things is a rather unusual Christmas jazz album. McDonough modernizes and reharmonizes the familiar songs, sometimes playing them in different time signatures (“Scarborough Fair” is in 7/4 while “My Favorite Things” becomes a romp in 5/4 time). The results are not as light and cheerful as heard on most other Xmas jazz sets. McDonough takes “Jingle Bells” as a brooding solo ballad, plays several duets with the Coltranish soprano and tenor-saxophonist Richard Terrill, and performs four songs with a quartet that includes Terrill. Three of the ten songs were previously released on McDonough’s 2005 album Simple Gifts. All in all, this is an intriguing set (available from www.larrymcdonough.jazz.-
homestead.com) that is in its own niche and will sound fresh even when it is not the Christmas season.
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Rhythm and Grooves
Long Nights for Music: 12.16 – 12.22
Larry Englund
December 16, 2015
Tuesday, December 22
Larry McDonough Quartet @ Bedlam Lowertown, Saint Paul. 7pm – 10pm ($5) The East Metro appearance of pianist McDonough and his holiday show. McDonough, piano, vocals; Richard Terrill, saxes, poetry; Greg Stinson, bass; Dean White, drums. Will include music from Angels, Kings, My Favorite Things, as well as a McDonough arrangement of Le Marseillaise, a medley of two French tunes, and songs by Spinal Tap, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Dave Brubeck, and more. Of special note is a new arrangement of “It’s Love, It’s Christmas,” based on a copy of the original Bill Vans manuscript given to McDonough by Evan’s widow.
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St. Paul Pioneer Press
7 days of fun: Ain’t no hooey. It’s a Holiday Hooley!
Dan Emerson
December 16, 2015
Tuesday: St. Paul-based pianist-composer Larry McDonough and his Quartet will perform music from their 2013 Christmas album, "Angels, Kings, My Favorite Things." The show will feature seasonal poetry by saxophonist and poet Richard Terrill. LMQ will perform a new arrangement of "It's Love, It's Christmas," a rarely performed piece written by jazz pianist Bill Evans, based on a copy of the original Evans manuscript given to McDonough by Evans' widow, Nenette Zazzara. 7 p.m.; Bedlam Lowertown, 213 E. Fourth St., St. Paul; $5; 651-341-1038.
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2014
JazzInk
The Lead Sheet: Twin Cities Live Jazz, December 5-11
Andrea Canter
December 5, 2014
And a holiday riddle: What do Christmas, Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Ludwig van Beethoven, Mr. McGoo, Paul Simon, Ornette Coleman, Shakers, the Middle East, award-winning American poetry, and the art of international illustrator Eric Hanson have in common? Answer: The Larry McDonough Holiday CD, Angels, Kings, My Favorite Things, to be performed at The Nicollet tonight with Larry's quartet and some special guests, including Larry's daughter Rosie on African drums.
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Minnesota Public Radio
Feeling the vibe: Stirring combinations
David Cazares
December 11, 2014
On Monday, the Icehouse restaurant in Minneapolis will host two intriguing shows: pianist Larry McDonough's quartet will perform numbers from a holiday new CD, "Angels, Kings, My Favorite Things." Then J.T.'s Jazz Implosion will feature sax player George Cartwright. Chris Bates calls him a monster improviser.
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