Jazz Pianist, Singer, Composer, and Arranger Larry McDonough; Minnesota Book Award Recipient (in Poetry for “Coming Late to Rachmaninoff”) Richard Terrill on Saxes; Bassist Craig Matarrese; and Drummer Chaz Draper
“Larry McDonough’s long-awaited new recording serves up divergent delights, from a reconstructed holiday chestnut to inside-out renditions of jazz standards, from harmonically and rhythmically altered traditional melodies to a trio of original tunes. With a feathery touch that recalls Bill Evans but with more fingers and a unique approach to time that makes the most worn carol or standard a new adventure, Simple Gifts proves to be anything but “simple”—but, for those fortunate enough to hear this music, it is indeed a gift.” --Andrea Canter, Jazz Police.
Larry McDonough has performed with legendary saxophonist and composer Benny Golson, Trombonist Fred Wesley, and trumpeter Duane Eubanks, as well as a who’s who of Minneapolis and St. Paul jazz artists. Each year McDonough also premiers compositions and arrangements for school orchestra and jazz ensembles in Minnesota and around the country. He works as an attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, representing low income persons with housing and consumer problems. http://www.larrymcdonoughjazz.homestead.com/Biography.html
Sax player and Minnesota State University Mankato English Professor Richard Terrill received the 2004 Minnesota Book Award for Poetry, for his poetry compilation “Coming Late to Rachmaninoff” (University of Tampa Press, 2003). http://www.larrymcdonoughjazz.homestead.com/Dick.html
The quartet is rounded out by bassist, Mingus stylist and Minnesota State University Mankato Philosophy Professor Craig Matarrese, http://www.larrymcdonoughjazz.homestead.com/Craig.html and drummer Chaz Draper (“propulsive percussion that suggested the drum kit had suddenly doubled in size” - Andrea Canter, Jazz Police). http://larrymcdonoughjazz.homestead.com/Chaz.html
