The Minnesota Daily
Off Beat but on Target: Larry McDonough and His Band Give Major Makeovers to Familiar Tunes

http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2003/05/08/5937

By Jennifer Schneider
jschneider@mndaily.com

Far too often, instrumental jazz music becomes relegated to background sound.

Some guy hidden behind a Baby Grand tucked away in the corner of the room is playing his heart out, and the mingling partygoers hardly even notice he's there.  This is a shame when the music is as inspired as the songs on University adjunct law professor Larry McDonough's second solo piano CD.

This weekend's concert celebrates the release of "Tuscarora: Short Stories for Jazz Piano," which McDonough dedicates to the memory of Paul and Sheila Wellstone and Marcia Wellstone Markuson. Melodies to "Amazing Grace," "The Star Spangled Banner" and "My Favorite Things" are shrouded behind the unexpected time signatures created by his aptly named backup group the Off Beats.

A handful of original tunes balance out the intrepid album, which is a fitting tribute to a politician who also did very much his own thing. (Jennifer Schneider)

The Larry McDonough Off Beat Group (CD Release Party)
9 p.m., May 9, Dakota Bar & Grill,
(651) 642-1442, all ages, $10.