A longtime Los Angeles-based guitarist, MacDonald was born in Philadelphia and raised in Honolulu. He left the island paradise for the mainland’s music opportunities in 1982, creating a “portable” career for himself mostly on the West Coast, but also in New York and occasionally Las Vegas. He has been “flexible,” he says, accounting for a steady schedule of what often evades even the most talented and/or seasoned player, especially in jazz circles-work!

“In recent years, Doug MacDonald has become one of the most respected-and busiest-guitarists in Southern California. …at his best in a straight-ahead jazz context…a lyrical guitarist who plays in a relaxed, easy swinging manner…also can burn” – Orange County Register

As a sideman on both coasts and some stops elsewhere, his live performances are in the hundreds with: Stan Getz, George Shearing, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Brown, Buddy Rich, Dave McKenna, Scott Hamilton, Richard Groove Holmes, Jack McDuff, Bobby Vinton, Ray Charles and Rosemary Clooney, plus fellow guitarists Joe Pass and Herb Ellis. He has recorded with Hank Jones, Jack Sheldon, Bob Cooper, Snooky Young, Bill Holman, the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Lorez Alexandria and Ray Anthony, among others.  In October 2013, Doug merited recurring spots on three of L.A.’s own most well-known jazz festivals to perform Barney Kessel’s “Some Like It Hot” concert portion of the L.A. Jazz Institute’s four-day “Jazz Themes from Hollywood.”

Find Doug online at www.DougMacDonald.net