You are cordially invited to Celebrate National Coffee Day with us on September 29!
Music in the Library invites all to hear Larry McDonough (jazz pianist, composer, arranger, educator) in an encore performance in the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library, this Thursday, September 29, between 2pm and 3pm in the O’Shaughnessy Room – right next to the coffee shop!
His Bio: Larry McDonough has been performing in the area for 35 years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in music education from the University of Minnesota in 1978, performing on piano and trumpet, and in school ensembles with Clark Terry and Thad Jones, and for President Nixon and the President of Mexico.
He played extensively in the Twin Cities in the 1970’s and early 1980’s, performing solo and in his own duos and trios. He regularly performed at the old Night Train club in the Como Avenue warehouse area, and at the Jax Restaurant. He also taught, and composed and arranged for high school band.
McDonough moved away in the earlier 1980’s, and after returning a few years later, he performed primarily at private functions, including a performance for First Lady Hillary Clinton. He began playing jazz publicly again in the late 1990s, performing solo and in his own duos and trios, and with BOZO allegro. McDonough appeared on BOZO allegro’s second CD, Relentlessly Cheerful.
He has released five CDs under his own name. Two are CDs of solo piano jazz, “Small Steps” and “Tuscarora: Short Stories for Jazz Piano,” two are of his ensembles, “Live, Cooking at the Dakota” and “Simple Gifts,” and “My Favorite Things: Odd Times for Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra and Concert Band,” a compilation of high school ensemble performances of original pieces and arrangements. He records for his own independent label, LM Jazz.
McDonough has performed with legendary saxophonist and composer Benny Golson, Trombonist Fred Wesley, and trumpeter Duane Eubanks. He also has performed with such groups and performers as the Wolverines; vocalists Patty Peterson, Shirley Witherspoon, Connie Olson, Diane Jarvi, and Vicki Mountain; bassists Bruce “Pooch” Heine, Tom Lewis, Tom Hubbard, Billy Peterson, Paul Peterson, Kevin Barnes, and Chuck Adams; guitarists Mike Elliott, Brian Barnes and Bill Bergmann; mandolin player Chris Silver; drummers Dave Stanoch, Dave Hagedorn, Phil Hey and Kevin Washington, and horn players Eric Leeds, Dave Jensen, Kathy Jensen, Phil Holm, Ruston Reynolds, Dave Hagner, and Jeff King; as well as cover bands Jules and the Mystics.
In 2007 he was inducted into the Minnesota Rock Country Hall of Fame for his work in the group Danny’s Reasons.
He now performs solo, as well with his group, Larry McDonough Quartet. A former high school band director, he also works at Minneapolis Legal Aid as a tenants’ attorney, where he has been recognized by the Minnesota Law and Politics as a “Super Lawyer,” and by William Mitchell College of Law as one of “100 Who Made a Difference” over the 100 year history of the school.
Visit Larry’s website http://larrymcdonoughjazz.homestead.com/ for more information and and watch him perform two of his pieces on You Tube: Ode to Joy and Sirocco.
Questions? Please contact Julie @ jakimlinger@stthomas.edu or call 651-962-5014.
Dr. Joan Piorkowsi 
Dr. Todd Lawrence 
Dr. David Foote 
… shot of espresso, that is.