Archived Gigs

Events & Workshops

Concert in Alhuarin de la Torre

Date: June 12, 2018
Time: 9 PM Start
Location: EMMAT - Calle Punto Industrial Alhaurín de la Torre, Spain
Kirk MacDonald Quintet EMMAT Concert, Malaga, Spain

Kirk MacDonald Quintet featuring Virginia MacDonald (clarinet)

Admission: 10 euros

Kirk MacDonald Quintet – Madrid

Date: June 9, 2018
Time: 10 PM Start
Location: Bogui Jazz - Calle del Barquillo, 29, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Kirk MacDonald Performing at Bogui Jazz, Madrid, Spain

special guest Bobby Martinez (saxophone)

  • German Kucich (piano)
  • Javier Moreno (bass)
  • Juanma Barroso (drums)

15 Euros advance, 18 Euros at the door

Kirk MacDonald Quintet in Madrid

Date: June 8, 2018
Time: 10 PM Start
Location: Bogui Jazz - Calle del Barquillo, 29, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Kirk MacDonald Performing at Bogui Jazz, Madrid, Spain

with special guest Chris Kase (trumpet)

  • German Kucich (piano)
  • Javier Moreno (bass)
  • Juanma Barroso (drums)

15 Euros advance, 18 Euros at the door

RT Nuba (Debut), Kirk Macdonald & Fusion Jam

Date: April 14, 2018
Time: 10:30 PM Start
Location: Cairo Jazz Club - 197 26th of July Corridor, Madinet Al Eelam, Al Agouzah, Giza Governorate, Egypt
Kirk MacDonald and RT NUBA

Jazz Musician Kirk MacDonald Jazz Saxophonist will play a delightful assortment of jazz compositions that are sure to appeal to jazz fans across the board. Up next, bringing us the soothing sounds of Upper Egypt, Nubian band RT Nuba ارتي نوبة give us a performance that is heavy with culture and history. That’s not all, RT Nuba & Kirk will collaborate for a fusion jam blending traditional Nubian sounds with jazz for the rest of the evening!

Jazz Tales Festival – Egypt

Date: April 12, 2018
Time: 8 PM
Location: BACC, Great Hall, Alexandria, Egypt
Kirk MacDonald and Noha Jazz Quintet- Jazz Tales

Music: Jazz Tales Festival – 2nd Edition
Concert: Noha Fekry Jazz Quintet and Kirk MacDonald (Egypt – Canada)

  • Mina Nashaat – saxophone
  • Ramy Attallah – Piano
  • Brian Dickinson – piano
  • Neil Swainson – bassist
  • Neil Swainson – bassist
  • Amir Attallah – Drums
  • Andre White – Drums

HJF presents:Kirk MacDonald & Harold Mabern Duo

Date: March 7, 2018
Time: 8 PM to 10 PM
Location: Halifax Jazz Festival
Saxophonist Kirk MacDonald and Pianist Harold Mabern

The Halifax Jazz Festival presents the Kirk MacDonald & Harold Mabern Duo, performing jazz standards and originals in Halifax, Wed, March 7, 2018 at St. Paul’s Church (1749 Argyle St). Advance tickets are $25.00, $15.00 for students, and are on sale now: https://goo.gl/DTsZvu
Show starts at 8pm, open to all ages.

Together, Kirk and Harold have played several shows as a duo throughout Canada, with performances mainly emphasizing standard jazz repertoire. Mabern is known for his vast knowledge of repertoire and their duo programs include works by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Kurt Weill, Victor Young, Harry Warren, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker along with many other influential composers. Their music also includes originals by Mabern and MacDonald.

Kirk MacDonald/Harold Mabern Duo

Date: March 6, 2018
Time: 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Location: Highland Arts Theatre - 40 Bentinck St, Sydney, NS B1P 1G2
Saxophonist Kirk MacDonald and Pianist Harold Mabern

Sydney we are coming your way!

I Hope to see my fellow Cape Bretoner’s out for our return engagement at The Highland Arts Theatre.
Tuesday March 6th Showtime is 7.30.
http://www.highlandartstheatre.com/harold-mabern-kirk-macdonald-duo/

Master Class at STFX University

Date: March 5, 2018
Time: 3:45 PM Start
Kirk MacDonald and Harold Mabern

With Kirk MacDonald & Harold Mabern

St. Francis Xavier University
Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Concert at StFX University

Date: March 5, 2018
Time: 8 PM
Saxophonist Kirk MacDonald and Pianist Harold Mabern

A rare opportunity to see tenor saxophonist, Kirk MacDonald and pianist Harold Mabern, in concert.  They have played as a duo throughout Canada, with performances emphasizing classic jazz repertoire including works by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Kurt Weill, Victor Young, Harry Warren, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker along with many other influential composers. Their concerts also include original works by both artists. Presented by the Music Department.  Free admission.

St. Francis Xavier University
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Gerald Schwartz School of Business, Schwartz Auditorium

Kirk MacDonald & Harold Mabern: Jazz Aberdeen

Date: March 4, 2018
Time: 7:30 PM Start
Location: Aberdeen Cultural Centre - 140 Botsford St, Moncton, NB E1C 4X5
Kirk MacDonald and Harold Mabern at the Jazz Aberdeen Festival

Aberdeen Jazz Festival is back for a second edition in 2018 with four concerts that are not to be missed! Our first event features the amazing duo Kirk MacDonald and Harold Mabern for a night of jazz music on Sunday, March 4th at Aberdeen Cultural Center’s Bernard-LeBlanc Hall. The event starts at 7:30pm with tickets available at the door at 7pm. Admission: $25 reg/$20 students. Kirk and Harold have played several shows as a duo throughout Canada, with performances mainly emphasizing standard jazz repertoire. Mabern is known for his vast knowledge of repertoire and their duo programs include works by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Kurt Weill, Victor Young, Harry Warren, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker along with many other influential composers. Their music also includes originals by Mabern and MacDonald.

Joe Sullivan Quintet

Date: March 3, 2018
Time: 10:30 PM to 1:15 AM
Location: Diese Onze Live Jazz Bar - 4115 St Denis St A, Montreal, QC H2W 2M7
Joe Sullivan
Joe Sullivan

At Diese Onze Live Jazz Bar in Montreal

4115 St Denis St A, Montreal, QC H2W 2M7
Phone: (514) 223-3543

Harold Mabern and Kirk Macdonald Masterclass

Date: March 3, 2018
Time: 1 PM to 2:30 PM
Kirk MacDonald and Harold Mabern

Concordia University, Department of Music

John Molson School of Business building
1450 Guy St.
Room # MB 8.135

Kirk and Harold have played several shows as a duo throughout Canada, with performances mainly emphasizing standard jazz repertoire. Mabern is known for his vast knowledge of repertoire and their duo programs include works by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Kurt Weill, Victor Young, Harry Warren, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker along with many other influential composers. Their music also includes originals by Mabern and MacDonald.

Master Class at University of Montreal

Date: March 2, 2018
Time: 12:30 PM Start
Kirk MacDonald and Harold Mabern

With Toronto based saxophonist Kirk MacDonald & jazz legend pianist Harold Mabern.

Masterclass McGill University

Date: March 2, 2018
Time: 5:30 PM to 7 PM
Kirk MacDonald and Harold Mabern

Masterclass @ McGill with Kirk MacDonald & Harold Mabern March 2, 2018, 5:30pm to 7pm, C-304.

Kirk MacDonald,Harold Mabern, Alec Walkington, & Andre White

Date: March 2, 2018
Time: 10:30 PM to 1:15 AM
Location: Diese Onze Live Jazz Bar - 4115 St Denis St A, Montreal, QC H2W 2M7

Kirk MacDonald Quartet featuring Harold Mabern
Diese Onze -Montreal March 2 & 3.
Kirk MacDonald saxophone
Harold Mabern piano
Alec Walkington bass
Andre White drums

Cover charge $20.00 Students $15.00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU5AHm5Qy6U

Kirk MacDonald Quartet

Date: January 31, 2018
Time: 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM
Location: The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar - 194 Queen West, Toronto

Kirk MacDonald- Sax
Brian Dickinson- Piano
Neil Swainson- Bass
Barry Romberg- Drums

Power Organ Trio

Date: January 24, 2018
Time: 7 PM to 10 PM
Location: The Orbit Room - 580 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1B3

Bernie Senensky – hammond b3 organ
Kirk MacDonald – tenor sax
Terry Clarke – drums

Kirk MacDonald/Ralph Bowen Quintet – The Music of John Coltrane

Start date: September 21, 2017 - End date: September 23, 2017
Time: 9:30 PM Start
Location: The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar - 194 Queen West, Toronto

For twenty five years saxophonist Pat LaBarbera and I have held an annual event at the Rex celebrating the music of the great John Coltrane.
We are very fortunate to have tenor saxophonist Ralph Bowen fill in for Pat this year as Pat will be unable to take part due to touring comittments in Europe. We hope you can join us for what promises to be a great 3 nights of music.
Kirk MacDonald – saxophone
Ralph Bowen -saxophone
Brian Dickinson – piano
Neil Swainson – bass
Andre White – drums
Thursday – Saturday September 21,22 & 23, 9.30pm.
Cover Charge 15.00

Kirk MacDonald Quintet – Kensington Jazz Festival

Date: September 15, 2017
Time: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Location: Trinity Common - 303 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2M2
Kirk MacDonald at Kensington Market Jazz Festival

Saxophonist Kirk MacDonald and guitarist Lorne Lofsky have performed together for over thirty-five years.They will be joined by up and coming clarinetist Virginia MacDonald.

  • Kirk MacDonald, saxophone
  • Virginia MacDonald, clarinet
  • Lorne Lofsky, guitar
  • Kieran Overs, bass
  • Terry Clarke, drums

www.kensingtonjazz.com

twitter.com/kensingtonjazz
instagram.com/kensingtonjazz

The Kirk MacDonald Quartet in London, England

Date: May 2, 2017
Time: 1:30 PM to 6 PM
Location: PizzaExpress Live - London, UK
Pizza Express Live London

Hailed by Jerry Bergonzi as “a bridge between tradition and modern saxophone playing” and “one of the shining lights in Canada’s jazz scene”, Kirk MacDonald is an award-winning Canadian saxophonist, composer and educator who has “maintained his integrity as one of Canada’s leading saxophonists for over 25 years” (Pat LaBarbera). His album Vista Obscura, which features LaBarbera alongside Harold Mabern, Neil Swainson and André White, won the 2015 Juno Award for Jazz Album of the Year, and his 2017 release Silent Voices, with co-leader LaBarbera and featuring Swainson and Adam Nussbaum, has been met with critical praise in Canada.

  • Kirk MacDonald (saxophones)
  • Duncan Hopkins (bass)
  • Stephen Keogh (drums)
  • Alberto Palau (piano)

Tickets: £20

Kirk MacDonald and Harold Mabern Duo

Date: March 7, 2017
Time: 7 PM to 0:30 PM
Location: The Music Room - 6181 Lady Hammond Rd., Halifax, NS

Juno Award winning saxophonist/composer Kirk MacDonald and legendary New York pianist Harold Mabern celebrate their long musical friendship with an evening of familiar jazz standards and original compositions.
Concert time 8.00pm
Doors 7.30
Tickets 25.00 available at box office and online.
902 429 9462
https://www.themusicroom.ca/

Kirk MacDonald w/ Harold Mabern,Neil Swainson & Andre White

Date: March 1, 2017
Time: 9:30 PM Start
Location: The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar - 194 Queen West, Toronto

Kirk MacDonald Quartet featuring Harold Mabern
Kirk MacDonald saxophone
Harold Mabern piano
Neil Swainson bass
Andre White drums
Wednesday and Thursday March 1st and 2nd
The Rex – Showtime 9.30 pm.
Cover charge 15.00
2015 Juno Award Winners for their CD -Vista Obscura.
https://www.amazon.ca/Vista-Obscura-Kirk-MacDonald/dp/B00OB3DD7Y/

Kirk MacDonald / Harold Mabern Quartet /Duo Tour

Date: February 28, 2017
Time: 7:30 PM to 12 AM

I’ll be doing a number of shows over the next couple of weeks with the great Harold Mabern along with Andre White and Neil Swainson (Toronto), Alec Walkington (Montreal). We will be performing quartet in Toronto and Montreal, with Harold and I performing duo in Port Hope, Moncton, Halifax and Sydney.

There will also be workshops at Humber College – Toronto March 1 , Concordia U – Montreal March 4 , Aberdeen Hall – Moncton March 5 , Dalhousie U Halifax -March7 and Long and McQuade – March 8 (Halifax).

I hope you can join us. See details below for individual shows.
Port Hope Feb 28 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1218708561576202&set=a.223397981107270.49467.100003112092065&type=3&theater

Toronto March 1 & 2 https://www.facebook.com/events/411169179217419/

Montreal March 3 & 4 https://www.facebook.com/events/1928301660726218/

Moncton March 5 https://www.facebook.com/events/1375160479193536/

Halifax March 7 https://www.facebook.com/events/182751382211900/

Sydney March 10 https://www.facebook.com/events/1228022197313884/

Check out our performance at Dizzy’s in New York https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU5AHm5Qy6U

kirkmacdonald.com

https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/kirkmacdonald

Kirk MacDonald, Lorne Lofsky, Barry Romberg & Marshall Herridge

Date: January 27, 2017
Time: 9 PM to 12 PM
Location: Placebo Space - 2877 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke, ON M8V 1J1

Kirk MacDonald – saxophone
Lorne Lofsky – guitar
Barry Romberg – drums
Marshall Herridge – bass
Start time 9.00 pm – 12.00
Cover charge 10.00

Kirk MacDonald/PatLaBarbera Quartet

Start date: July 6, 2016 - End date: July 7, 2016
Time: 9:30 PM Start
Location: The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar - 194 Queen West, Toronto

Wednesday and Thursday July 6 and 7 at 9.30 pm. Cover charge 15.00

https://www.facebook.com/events/497838733754054

Kirk MacDonald/Pat LaBarbera Quartet

Date: June 28, 2016
Time: 11 PM Start
Location: Le Brasseurs de Temps - 170 Rue Montcalm, Gatineau, QC J8X 2M2

Award winning saxophonists Pat LaBarbera and Kirk MacDonald co lead a quartet with Toronto bassist Kieran Overs and New York drummer Adam Nussbaum with dates in Gatineau,Montreal and Toronto.

From OttawaJazzScene.ca
” On Tuesday, June 28, you can hear two giants of the jazz saxophone, as Kirk MacDonald and Pat Labarbera play a joint concert at Les Brasseurs du Temps. They’ll be accompanied by the well-known Toronto bassist Kieran Overs, and American post-bop drummer Adam Nussbaum. Both MacDonald and Labarbera have been key members of the Toronto jazz scene for decades. Both Juno-winners, they’re also well-known for their collaborations with renowned musicians like Elvin Jones (Labarbera) and with Tom Harrell and with Harold Mabern (MacDonald).”

Kirk MacDonald/Doug Lawrence Quintet

Date: June 17, 2016
Time: 9 PM to 11 PM
Location: Jazz Bistro - 251 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8

I’m looking forward to playing at the Jazz Bistro and The Jazz Room with saxophonist and fellow TM Custom saxophone endorser Doug Lawrence.Doug has been a mainstay with the Count Basie band for many years and is making a rare small group appearance in Toronto.We will be playing with the stellar rhythm section of Mark Eisenman ,Dave Young and Terry Clarke. Doug and I will also be at Long and McQuade on Saturday June18 from 11.00am-1.00pm demonstrating the TM Custom saxophones along with the amazing Randy Jones, designer and manufacturer of these great horns.Randy will be bringing a number of horns to check out so I hope we will see a lot of saxophonists at L&MQ.

Kirk MacDonald/Doug Lawrence quintet with Mark Eisenman, Dave Young and Terry Clarke.June 17&18 at theJazz Bistro.9.00pm start. June19 at The Jazz Room in Waterloo 4.00-7.00pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1702440686677322