"The new Ken McDonald Quartet recording 'Pay What You Can' is a soul filled and joyous ride that swings all the way through from the deep funk sounds of New Orleans, into the intense modern jazz territory of New York City and all the way over to the meditative Arabic sounds of North Africa. 'Pay What You Can' is worth every moment that you spend listening to it. Check it out." - Dave Clark -Gemini award winning composer and leader of The WoodChopper's Association.
Ken is a hard hitting bassist and an evocative composer. Born and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Ken’s musical career came to life when he moved to Toronto and started studying at York University, where he completed his BFA in 2007 and his MA in 2010. During that time Ken studied privately with Artie Roth, Roy Patterson, David Mott, Larry Grenadier and Andrew Downing. In 2008 released his debut album, “The Master Plan” which was followed by an Eastern Canada tour in 2009. In February of 2011 Ken released his second CD as a leader, entitled “Pay What You Can” which features 6 new original compositions. Ken also is a busy sideman, playing frequently with Half Beat Mishap, Dave Clark’s Woodshed Orchestra, Shelly O’Brien, Camden Blues, The Om Tree Folk Collective, Armida Brigg, The Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra and Lilly Mason. Ken has also performed at several festivals including the Markham Jazz Festival, Thornhill Summer Festival and Toronto’s Nuit Blanche.
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"The new Ken McDonald Quartet recording 'Pay What You Can' is a soul filled and joyous ride that swings all the way through from the deep funk sounds of New Orleans, into the intense modern jazz territory of New York City and all the way over to the meditative Arabic sounds of North Africa. 'Pay What You Can' is worth every moment that you spend listening to it. Check it out." - Dave Clark -Gemini award winning composer and leader of The WoodChopper's Association.
Ken is a hard hitting bassist and an evocative composer. Born and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Ken’s musical career came to life when he moved to Toronto and started studying at York University, where he completed his BFA in 2007 and his MA in 2010. During that time Ken studied privately with Artie Roth, Roy Patterson, David Mott, Larry Grenadier and Andrew Downing. In 2008 released his debut album, “The Master Plan” which was followed by an Eastern Canada tour in 2009. In February of 2011 Ken released his second CD as a leader, entitled “Pay What You Can” which features 6 new original compositions. Ken also is a busy sideman, playing frequently with Half Beat Mishap, Dave Clark’s Woodshed Orchestra, Shelly O’Brien, Camden Blues, The Om Tree Folk Collective, Armida Brigg, The Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra and Lilly Mason. Ken has also performed at several festivals including the Markham Jazz Festival, Thornhill Summer Festival and Toronto’s Nuit Blanche.
THE KEN MCDONALD QUARTET The Ken McDonald Quartet formed in the winter of 2008 with their debut performance at the now defunct Concord Cafe. With saxophonist Paul Metcalfe and drummer Lowell Whitty being involved from the beginning, it took two years of searching (among many talented guitarists) to decide on Demetri Petsalakis a the permanent guitarist. The ensemble performs with an unbridled amount of exuberance and always maintains a high level of intensity no matter what the tempo, feel or dynamic of the piece is. The almost telekinetic connection between the members of the band allows for them to take daring risks with the music without missing a beat or cue. Ken’s compositions show his passion for the jazz tradition while maintaining a modern and fresh perspective. The blues based melodies and hard swinging grooves of early Blue Note recordings play a strong influence on his tunes. This, paired with a knack for experimentation, infuses his songs with both tradition and rhetoric. While by no means tame or pedestrian, Ken’s music possesses an underlying sense of lyricism and sensitivity carried on strong melodic themes. Ken’s music is a refreshing take on jazz that is accessible to any audience. In November of 2010 the quartet entered the studio to record Ken’s second album as a leader entitled “Pay What You Can,” engineered by fellow bassist Scott McCannell. The session was a painless and inspired experience, churning beautiful takes of 6 new original compositions. The album will be released in February 2011 and will lead to many shows in promotion of it.
HALF BEAT MISHAP Half Beat Mishap formed in the spring of 2008 by Ken McDonald (bass), Demetri Petsalakis (guitar), Karen Ng (saxophones) and Jay Sussman (drums) as a platform to perform and experiment with new original material. The quartet met while attending York University’s Undergraduate Music program in Jazz Performance and could not ignore the chemistry that emerged when these particular four members got together. It is this intuitive group chemistry that allows the unique occurrence of ensemble improvisation rather than mere soloing. The ensemble creates music ranging from simple to complex, with all members contributing original material. Their repertoire always retains a motto of melodicism, rhythmic drive and inherent groove. Current to date, Half Beat Mishap have released two recordings. The first album entitled " The Master Plan" was recorded by Juno nominee Barry Romberg and the second yielded an opportunity to record at the CBC studios with muti-award recipient Reuben Ghose. With an East Coast tour under their belts, they also led an educational clinic (requested by Halifax saxophonist Ken MacKay) and hold a monthly residency at the Toronto club The Cloak and Dagger.
Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, Larry Grenadier, Horace Silver, Masada, Bill Frisell, Ornette Coleman, Joshua Redman, Fly Trio
