Jack Mac playing saxophone onstage at Tramshed, image courtesy of Jack Mac<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nJack McDougal, 26, is a saxophonist who performs with The Bandits Jazz Trio, brass ensemble Bass 12 and as a solo artist. You may know him as Jack Mac<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Years of regular slots have made the musician a familiar face around the city. Jack admits that he often gets recognised. \u201cMore and more often I recognise people in the audience from previous gigs, so it’s nice that I\u2019ve got somewhat of a following\u201d, he laughed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jack is planning to perform in new places, \u201cI love gigging in Cardiff, but I gig too much in Cardiff\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe problem with gigging too much in a certain place is that people know you gig all the time. They come to your gigs less because they know they can come another time,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jack describes a regular gig in London as being the dream, also suggesting he would love to experience the Scotland scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fellow Bass 12 band member Christopher Davis is confident Jack will expand to gigging in other areas. \u201cJack is easily the most charismatic sax player I\u2019ve ever met,” he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Path to music<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGrowing up in West Sussex, Jack played instruments from a young age. He began piano lessons aged four to help his dyspraxia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recognised primarily for the genre of jazz, Jacks first love and biggest musical influence was blues, inspired to play the saxophone aged eight when he watched Blues Brothers<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHe studied joint music and mathematics at Cardiff University. However, when he graduated in 2014 Jack wasn\u2019t initially looking to go into music as a career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy logic was that people don\u2019t always enjoy their jobs. I enjoy music, ergo if I start working in music, I wouldn\u2019t enjoy it anymore,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, he and some friends had secured a regular spot playing at Lab 22 in central Cardiff, a spot he still retains five years later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom doing that I thought maybe this music business isn\u2019t such a bad idea after all\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nJack doesn’t wear his jazzy hat and waistcoat or bring his saxophone to coffee shops, unfortunately.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNew Path<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJack undertook a Master\u2019s degree in Jazz at the Royal Welsh college of music and drama, graduating in 2018. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI felt I needed to improve my jazz language because up until that point my formal tuition had been in classical,\u201d he explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to gigs Jack teaches saxophone lessons both privately and in schools. Teaching has sharpened his musical skills, \u201cyou become a much better player when you teach,” he says “because you have to learn about your instrument in a new way\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blending teaching with performing offers Jack the chance to take nights off to socialise and relax. Despite the challenges of a competitive industry he loves the career he has fashioned for himself,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI very much enjoy being self-employed,” he explains, “music itself is unpredictable which for some people might be scary but it makes me excited.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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