Beth McDonald
Beth McDonald Boger has been a singer and a songwriter all of her life, understanding who she was/is from a very young age. It wasn't until 2004, however, that Beth performed publicly, in a featured setting, for the first time, accompanied by Joe Holt. The above photo of Beth and Joe, standing below the Marquis of the Avalon Theatre, in Easton Maryland, was taken in 2022. Beth and Joe have become well established in this regional area, performing often at the Avalon (in both the Stoltz Listening room and on the main stage), and other concert venues (such as The Mainstay, in Rock Hall, the Garfield Center for the Arts, in Chestertown, MD, and The Milton Theatre, in Milton, DE) over the years. But there is more to the story …
In 2005, Beth was recruited as the vocalist for the New Legacy Jazz Band, which specialized in Big Band era dance music. Immersed in this classic era of jazz, Beth found deep inspiration in the music and story of Peggy Lee, among others, and established herself as a jazz singer. The first video below features Beth with the New Legacy Jazz Band, at the Milton (DE) Theatre, singing a Duke Ellington classic. One reviewer wrote: "Beth McDonald deserves much, much more attention and the jazz public deserves to hear much, much more of her." - C. Michael Bailey.
And the story continues …
In 2009, Beth left the band and continued her musical partnership with Joe Holt. While she has returned to New Legacy from time to time over the years, she primarily performs as a duo with Joe. The second video below features a Leonard Cohen classic, performed at the Garfield Center for the Arts, in Chestertown, MD. Beth and Joe perform music ranging from classic jazz and pop to Beth's (classic and contemporary) originals. The third video introduces saxophonist Scott Silbert joining on one of Beth's original songs, performed at The Mainstay, in Rock Hall, MD. The fourth video, also at the Mainstay, captures the depth and emotional connection of Beth's songwriting. The final video represents a fun duo “sampler” across genres, in a private concert setting.
Beth has recorded and released 7 albums, both in collaboration with the New Legacy Jazz Band, and with Joe (along with an additional album of classic hymns and Gospel, released by Joe). See Beth's recording catalog here. Beth is available to perform for your event/venue in any combination ranging from a duo with Joe, to a quartet, or larger band. Let's talk about what works best for you. :)