Betty
MacDonald is well known throughout the Hudson Valley as a jazz
performer and for her many years as host of jazz radio programs on
WDST and WAMC. In her 16 years as a programmer she had
opportunity to interview jazz legends Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins,
Dizzy Gillespie, Carmen McRae, Jack DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, Joe
Williams, Marian McPartland, and Nancy Wilson.
Betty recently released her second CD "Dream Come True", co
produced with guitarist-composer, Joe Beck featuring an all star
lineup with Warren Bernhardt, Mike Mainieri, Jay Anderson, Dennis
Mackrel, and Peter O'Brien. The album is comprised of some jazz
standards near and dear to her heart, with original compositions of
her own and those of Beck and Bernhardt.
Betty’s eclectic spirit has made her part of the Marc Black Band,
Iabas, (Brazilian music), Winston Grennan’s Ska Rock Band, Critical
Theory, (world music group), and Peggy Stern’s samba/salsa band,
Estrella.
Betty’s music has taken her abroad to jazz festivals in Russia,
India, and Turkey and she was a featured artist in festivals in New
York City, Kansas City, Catskill, and Kingston. She has shared the
stage with Dave Brubeck, David Darling, Ed Summerlin, Maxine
Sullivan, Howard Johnson, Jimmy Cobb, Sheilah Jordan, Roswell Rudd,
and Karl Berger to mention a few.
In addition to spreading the sound of jazz, Betty has a busy
schedule performing in concert, teaching privately, and conducting
workshops teaching improvisation. She was chosen to be a member of
the Wall of Fame at her high school in Olean, NY, as Musician of the
Year by the Ulster County Arts Council, and a documentary of her
career is being made by Joy Hopkins Hausman and eminent film maker,
Burrill Crohn.
Betty has released a CD of the Billie
Holiday Tribute concert performed at Unison Arts Center with Peter
Tomlinson and Jim Curtin. She and Pete Levin are currently
mixing an album of recordings made with guitarist, Joe Beck. She is
also working with recording engineer Stuart Breed, mixing
another recording made live in concert with the Hudson Valley Jazz
Greats, Mike Mainieri, Jay Anderson, and Dennis Mackrel. |