Lynn McDonald Biography
Singing Career Overview
Lynn has been swinging the standards hard since the mid-eighties, in hundreds of clubs in Canada; from Kelowna’s “Blue Gator” as far east as the art deco Clarendon Hotel in Vieux Quebec. She performed many times at “The Upstairs” in Montreal.
Toronto Clubs include; The Top O the Senator, Montreal Bistro, George’s Spaghetti House, Beaches International Jazz Festival, Quigley’s, The Rex Hotel, Harbourfront, etc.
Other Ontario venues include; Ottawa Jazz Festival, Orillia Jazz Festival, Barrie Jazz Festival, Uxbridge and Oshawa Festivals, and Kingston, Belleville and Hamilton.
Appearances in the US include Pearl’s in San Fransicso, Visione’s In New York, Sarasota Jazz Club, The Frenchman’s Reef in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
In Europe Lynn has performed in Paris, in the Furstemberg also the Jazz Quarter in Amsterdam, The Budapest Jazz Club in Budapest and several venues in Prague, where she has her own band (See Czech Connection).
In Havana Cuba she and Dave Restivo performed at the international Jazz Festival at the “Plaza de la Cultura”
Lynn is currently living in Durham Region and keeps busy teaching and performing in the area and in Toronto, unless she is in Prague.
The Czech Connection
May 2018 marks Lynn’s 22nd musical visit to Prague, Czech Republic where she performs with award-winning guitarist Roman Pokorny and her Czech Band; Tomas Jochmann – Piano, Matty Cerny – Bass, Martin Sculz – drums. She is well loved by musicians and audiences alike in Prague and sings at the Residence of the ambassador to Canada and makes regular appearances in the jazz clubs. Lynn and AlItalia sponsored Roman Pokorny in a 7 performance tour of Ontario.
York University
Lynn is a retired Professor of Jazz Vocals with the Faculty of Music in the School of Fine Arts at York University, Toronto.
She is also a private vocal coach.
Awards
- 2010 Business in the Arts, “LYNN MCDONALD PRESENTS” CONCERT SERIES
- 2009 Best Female Vocalist, Durham Region, Winner
- 2007 Best Female Vocalist, Winner
- 2007 Best Jazz CD, Winner
- 2006 Best Vocalist Durham Region, Nomination
- 2005 Friend of the Arts Award, Durham Region Music Society, for her outstanding contribution to the Arts. “LYNN MCDONALD PRESENTS” CONCERT SERIES
Discography
GIVE A LISTEN!
Lynn’s music is available to listen to and purchase on Bandcamp.
2008 – ME AND THE BOYS
Craig Harley, Nick Fraser, Jordan O’Connor
2006 – SONGS FOR MY SISTER
Craig Harley, Nick Fraser, Jordan O’Connor, James MacDonald, David Braid
2002 – SONG FOR MY FATHER
Dave Restivo, Ted Warren, Jordan O’Connor, James MacDonald
2000 – PATINA*
Dave Restivo & Lynn Ballad Duets
1995 – IT’S HIGH TIME*
Dave Restivo, Ted Warren, Jim Vivian, Guido Basso, John McLeod
1992 – HAND PICKED
Mulgrew Miller, Bob Price, Bob McLaren, James MacDonald
1990 – ESSENCE OF TIME
Matt Horner, Joe Gold, Phil Dwyer, Bill McBirnie
1989 – BEAUNE, DIJON
Mark Eisenman, Steve Wallace, Bob McLaren, Bill McBirnie
2025 – THE KITCHEN SESSIONS
Dave Restivo, John Loach
*Under the watchful eyes and ears of Producer, Phil Sheridan.