Larry McDonough has been performing for over 40 years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in music education from the University of Minnesota in 1978, performing on piano and trumpet, and in school ensembles with Clark Terry and Thad Jones, and for President Nixon and the President of Mexico. He studied with Frank Bencriscutto, O’Neil Sanford, Ron Hassleman, Eric Stokes, Dominick Argento, David Baldwin, Steven Schultz, and Clem Volpe.
He played extensively in the Twin Cities in the 1970's and early 1980's, performing solo and in his own duos and trios. He regularly performed at the old Night Train club in the Como Avenue warehouse area, and at the Jax Restaurant. He also taught, and composed and arranged for high school band.
McDonough moved away in the earlier 1980's, and after returning a few years later, he performed primarily at private functions, including a performance for First Lady Hillary Clinton. He began playing jazz publicly again in the late 1990s, performing solo and in his own duos and trios, and with BOZO allegro. McDonough appeared on BOZO allegro's second CD, Relentlessly Cheerful.
He has released nine recordings under his own name:
Charted at 29 on the CMJ Jazz Chart, and heard on more than 100 stations around the world
CD release performances in the Midwest and Paris, France
His recent awards and selections include:
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Selection for Reading at the Summer Dialogue Conference, for the composition of I Will Overcome for choir (2015)
HFC Award for Best Composition for the composition Reason to Shine for the film Underland 2 (2014)
He has created several shows that have been popular at the major jazz clubs, pubs and art centers in the Twin Cities and throughout the state.
June 25, 1961 - Bill Evans Trio at the Village Vanguard
Intermodulating Undercurrents: The Music of Guitarist Jim Hall and Pianist Bill Evans
Prohibited: Jazz from the 1920s
McDonough has performed with legendary saxophonist and composer Benny Golson, Trombonist Fred Wesley, and trumpeter Duane Eubanks. He also has performed with such groups and performers as the Wolverines; vocalists Patty Peterson, Shirley Witherspoon, Connie Olson, Diane Jarvi, and Vicki Mountain; bassists Bruce "Pooch" Heine, Tom Lewis, Tom Hubbard, Billy Peterson, Paul Peterson, Kevin Barnes, and Chuck Adams; guitarists Mike Elliott, Brian Barnes and Bill Bergmann; mandolin player Chris Silver; drummers Dave Stanoch, Dave Hagedorn, Phil Hey and Kevin Washington, and horn players Eric Leeds, Dave Jensen, Kathy Jensen, Phil Holm, Ruston Reynolds, Dave Hagner, and Jeff King; as well as cover bands Jules and the Mystics.
In 2007 he was inducted into the Minnesota Rock Country Hall of Fame for his work in the group Danny’s Reasons.
He now performs solo, in duos and trios, as well with his group, Larry McDonough Quartet. A former high school band director, he also works at Dorsey & Whitney providing pro bono legal services for low income persons and nonprofits. He has been recognized by the Minnesota Law and Politics as a "Super Lawyer," and by William Mitchell College of Law as one of "100 Who Made a Difference" over the 100 year history of the school. He is married to classical flutist Carol Bergquist.