Dick McDonough

Dick McDonough

Dick McDonough (1904-May 25, 1938) was an influential American jazz guitarist and composer. His major recordings included "Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jibe" with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra with Johnny Mercer, "Stage Fright" with Carl Kress, "Chasin' a Buck", "Feelin' No Pain", recorded in 1927 with Red Nichols, and "Chicken a la Swing".

Career

McDonough played with Red Nichols in 1927 as a banjoist, and soon after played with Paul Whiteman. After exchanging banjo for guitar, he did extensive work as a session musician in the 1930s and played with Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, The Boswell Sisters, Joe Venuti, Benny Goodman, Miff Mole, Adrian Rollini, Red Norvo, Jack Teagarden, Johnny Mercer, Billie Holiday, Pee Wee Russell, Frankie Trumbauer, Glenn Miller, and Gene Gifford among others. He and Carl Kress recorded as a guitar duet in the mid-1930s as well. He played in the Jam Session at Victor with Fats Waller, Tommy Dorsey, Bunny Berigan, and George Wettling.

McDonough was an alcoholic and died as a result of this in 1938.

Compositions by Dick McDonough

Dick McDonough compositions included "Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jibe", which was recorded by the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra with Johnny Mercer on vocals, "Chicken a la Swing", "Stage Fright", "Chasin' a Buck", and "Danzon".

References

• Scott Yanow, Dick McDonough at Allmusic