Red Mike MacDonald

Red Mike MacDonald

Sydney, Nova Scotia native, Red Mike MacDonald has been Cape Breton’s premiere jazz bass player for much of the past 70 years since he began playing upright bass at the age of 14. 

After Mike’s dad’s passing, Mike took over his dad's bass playing responsibilities for many local bands where he played country and western tunes as well as the classic jazz standards alongside players such as Joe Waye Senior who was 18 years old at the time compared to Red Mike’s 14 years. 

Since that time Mike has played with legends of the Cape Breton Jazz scene including Donnie Palmer, Kirk MacDonald, Emilio Pace, Rudy Pace, the MacDonald family of New Waterford (Dave, Elmer, George), Warren Chaisson, Denny Burchell, Mike’s brother Eddie, Neil Chambers, Walter and Monk Pretty, Russell LeBlanc, Joe Waye Jr. and many, many others. And of course whenever jazz players come to Cape Breton, Red Mike was the go-to jazz bassist to call upon.

“Mike is such a pleasure to play with,” said Cape Breton’s preeminent jazz guitarist Joe Waye Jr. “And having him as a bandmate is a great situation because you can always depend on him to be in the right place at the right when you’re playing a tune.”

Also Joe Waye is quick to point out that Red Mike’s support to a jazz group goes beyond his virtuosity on the bass. “Mike is not whinner or complainer. He brings a positive attitude to the gig which makes it so much easier for anyone organizing a gig. And Mike is supportive and not at all critical of other players. His personality is such that he does not bring negativity to the bandstand.”

Local drummer Johnny Hawkins echoes Joe Waye’s comments in saying that Mike as a player has the ability to play the right bass notes with the right feel to lock in the time.. “Mike’s just a great all around player with a real gift for making the music feel good. And he is equally a great guy as well as a great player. 

It is for these reasons that Joe Waye, along with Johnny Hawkins, have had Red Mike as their bass player choice in Joe’s jazz trio for the past 30 years, including this year’s Friday evening Festival show. “Since my brother Nigel passed away, Red Mike has easily been my first choice as bass player. He makes every gig relaxing and fun.”

Local jazz saxophonist Bruce McKinley recently reflected on his experiences with Red Mike..

"I first met Red Mike I 1973 playing with the Surrounding Area Big Band led by Walter ‘Lefty’ Pretty who unfortunately recently passed away. Of course I knew him through local TV shows in the 1950’s. Having taken up the saxophone in high school, I remember being astonished hearing him, his brother Eddie, and Don Coward playing on CBC Radio when Donnie Palmer, Mike’s cousin and legendary Canadian saxophone player was visiting Sydney, his hometown, from New York.

I have no idea how many gigs we played together but some occasions especially remember. After the Surrounding Area folded, we formed the Cape Breton Big Band which ran for about 15 years. We had a rhythm section as good as anyone could ask for with Mike, Eddie, Joe Waye Jr., and Terry Hill then Neil Chambers on piano. This group played jazz at a very high level with eventually several ensembles developing from within. Under Bob Nesbit’s direction, we had a Big Band playing dances throughout Nova Scotia. Additionally a group was formed which, depending on the gig, could be a Dixieland, polka, or swing band. I think Mike would agree – that if you wanted to play music in Cape Breton you hs to play it all – from beer gardens to straight out jazz. And who could forget the wonderful jam sessions at Rudy Pace’s place which was exciting b because you never knew who you would end up playing with..

Throughout all of the countless performances, Mike was always the rock. He was always an island of calm, always in control with a composure that never changed – calm, note perfect, and funny.

I consider it a great honor to have been able to play for 55 years with Mike, Rudy, Dave MacDonald, Eddie, Neil and so many more.

Mike really has been a cornerstone of the Cape Breton music community for more than 70 years. I nominate Red Mike MacDonald for the Stompin Tom Connors Music Award.

The Cape Breton Jazz Festival is delighted to honor Red Mike MacDonald at this year’s Festival. It is a bit ironic that when the Festival began 15 years ago, Red Mike was probably the first player I hired when I started to arrange gigs involving local players and gigs involving visiting artists from other parts of Canada and from outside the country. Getting Red Mike on-side as a Festival player and as a supporter of myself as a piano player, was key in having the Festival survive. Red Mike’s involvement and credibility was essential. It has been an honour for me to play jazz with Mike many times over the past 25 years. So thanks Mike for supporting me in my development as a jazz piano player. Your support has been essential in my realizing my music goals.  

• Carl Getto, executive director, Cape Breton Jazz Festival