One of the top jazz guitarists in the world today, Doug MacDonald returned in 2024 with Santa Monica Session. A stellar mix of classic covers and MacDonald originals, the 8-track 38-minute album features the guitar legend in good company with Bill Cantos (keyboards), Hussain Jiffry (bass) and Kevin Winard (drums).

Kicking off with a cover of Tadd Dameron’s “Lady Bird” (from 1939), the album shifts gears with MacDonald’s track “Minor Makeup” before covering “Prisoner Of Love” (1946). Other covers here feature tracks written by Richard Carpenter (“Walkin’” from 1954), Sonny Rollins (“Pent Up House” from 1956) and the CD closer “Perdido”, written by Duke Ellington alumni, trombonist and Puerto Rico native Juan Tizol in 1941.

The musical styles of Santa Monica Session include influences from Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz, a specialty of each of the musicians supporting MacDonald’s guitar-centric approach. Another MacDonald original here, “Tele Time” is actually a nod to the guitarist’s Telecaster guitar. The whole album will be much enjoyed by fans of world class jazz guitar heroes with names like Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel and Tal Farlow.

A mainstay of the California jazz scene, MacDonald has released at least 29 albums since 1979, including solo guitar albums as well as a variety of ensemble outings. Santa Monica Session is a musical history lesson shining a light on a number of jazz classics, all played to perfection by way of MacDonald’s relaxing guitar-centric vision.

RMR speaks with DOUG MACDONALD

RMR: Tell us about the Latin and Afro-Cuban vibes on Santa Monica Session. How did you apply those styles to the tracks?

DOUG MACDONALD: My thought was to give the jazz tunes a fresh approach. Like putting on a new outfit. It only takes a little adjustment to give the songs a new twist and turn from the original version. Rhythms have changed and expanded over the years!

RMR: The bass player on the album Hussain Jiffry also engineered, mixed and mastered the album. Tell us about your connections and musical chemistry with these players on the new record.

DOUG MACDONALD: I really enjoy interacting with different musicians. It keeps me sharp and on top of the game. Happy to be learning new things and exchanging ideas with the cats. It is an endless growing experience! Also I really like the recording sound Hussain got in the studio.

RMR: There are some lesser known covers for Santa Monica Session. Are each of these covers timeless jazz classics and can you give a couple examples? Some of the tracks here go way back the 1940s and ‘50s.

DOUG MACDONALD: Picking tunes is always a challenge. Doing songs that are overdone can be so pedestrian and uninspiring. “Prisoner Of Love” is a neglected ballad. The bolero beat gives new life to the piece. “Lady Bird” and “Pent Up House” are both bebop classics. Doing them in a Latin groove automatically puts them in the contemporary zone.

RMR: “Tele Time” was inspired by your Telecaster guitar, a guitar not usually known for its jazz sound but it does has a bright sound on that track. Tell us about your Tele guitar and other guitars you are playing on Santa Monica Session. Are you a guitar collector?

DOUG MACDONALD: Not a collector, but I have too many instruments. I played arch type hollow body guitars for over 50 years. My favorite being the Benedetto. Over a year and a half ago I decided go from a Rolls Royce to a sports car. I only played the Telecaster on the session.

RMR: I heard you’ve released upwards of 30 albums. What titles from your catalog do you feel are among your best and tell us what plans you have for 2025 including writing and recording new music?

DOUG MACDONALD: Great question. I am very happy with this latest project. We have done over 30 albums. This year I am putting out a downloadable book with a CD that deals with horizontal atonal lines for guitar. Another project is a small group doing jazz but with an accent on the blues. Our past recordings I would recommend: Organizing, Fourthstream, Big Band Extravaganza, Overtones, and Sextet Session to name a few!