DONNA’S BIO.
You are listening to Donna Blue singing “Gimme a Pigfoot - Mashup”
featuring Ira Sullivan, Carlos Averhoff, Jason Carder, Don Miller, James Martin and yours truly at a MOCA/LUNA STAR performance! ENJOY!!
Donna ‘Blue’ MacDonald was born on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. On that fair isle she was raised in a piano/violin dancehall saloon where she
learned to "tango" at an early age.
Following her nature to perform, Ms. MacDonald graduated from Carleton and Dalhousie Universities with a Degree in Theatre Arts. As a professional actress, Donna is proud to have performed with Artistic Director John Neville, (The Baron Munchasen, X Files) at Neptune Theatre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she starred with Denny Doherty of the Mamas and Papas fame.
At that same time Tony Randall, one of the Directors, provided a constant source of inspiration.
A move to Toronto found Donna performing in cabaret and at such premiere Blues clubs as
Albert's Hall and Dan Ackroyd's Pinetree on Queen St. West. There she shared the marquee with such luminaries as Big Daddy Kinsey, ‘Honeyboy Edwards, Otis Clay, Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater and the "up and coming" guitar hero Jeff Healey. It was always an honor when the great Albert Collins invited her to sing as special guest "Miss Blue".
As an interpretive vocalist she was afforded rare opportunities to perform with some of Toronto's finest Jazz musicians including: Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Don "D.T." Thompson, Jerry Fuller, Neil Swainson, Harvie Swartz, Barry Elmes , Johnny Johnson and many others.
A multi-faceted artist, Donna divided her time between music. theatre, and film/television production while in Toronto. A highlight of this period saw Donna return to Cape Breton with JEWEL, a one-woman tour de force in which she starred, produced and directed.
Musically influenced from all genres, Donna strives to cultivate her courage to chase her talent to the edge of the cliff and ultimately soar with her own style. Winning the U.S. Immigration "Green Card" lottery she rolled down to Key West for high adventure in the romantic and historic region of rollicking seafaring treasure hunting Pirates.
She enjoyed a simple and laidback lifestyle
in this artists' haven and often held court at the Green Parrot or Blue Heaven as a Performance Artist where she could be heard reciting original poetic works or singing, a cappella, everything from Shakespeare's sonnets, Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan to Leiber & Stoller and Rogers & Hart.
She was a featured performer for evenings of Poetry and Jazz at the
Red Barn Theatre.
"Special mention must go to Donna MacDonald who won the grand prize as 'Poetess of the Night'
and now occupies the coveted
Green Parrot Bicycle Seat of Perfumed Poetics."
Bud Navarro, Key West the Newspaper
"The invisible-eyed Donna MacDonald in beatnik black with round shades is from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. 'I've sprung a leak ,' she read, but soon abandoned the pages for a hot, hot rendition of 'Jungle Fever' that unstoppably stirred the place up. Whew!!!"
Mark Howell, Island Life
During this period Donna starred as Black-Eyed Susan opposite Carl Hancock Rux in his acclaimed
WAITING FOR THE DOG TO DIE and SINGING IN THE WOMB OF ANGELS. Rux was heralded in the New York Times as one of the year's top new under-30 artists. This production was presented at the Key West Theatre Festival and was celebrated as the favorite play of the festival.
After spending a number of very happy and productive years in the idyll of Key West, Donna relocated to Miami Beach, still staying close to the ocean, a great love. This area afforded greater possibilities. She has enjoyed much success and many opportunities to perform at venues such as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) ,
the Van Dyke Cafe, Luna Star Cafe, Riverwalk,
the Bank of America Centre (Sunshine Jazz Organization), the Coral Lakes Theatre and
Books and Books (an evening of Poetry and Jazz)
and many others.
She presently resides in Miami Beach with her partner, Pianist/Composer/Arranger/Producer
Brian M. Murphy
and their beautiful Siamese cat - Sagwa!
She can be contacted online at: demblues@bellsouth.net
© Brian Murphy 2003 - 2010
