About Jackie

Jackie was born in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and spent most of his first 16 years in the famous surfing town of San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico where his family owned a local restaurant.

It was in San Blas that he started playing in his first band at 12 years old. Arriving in the U.S.A at 16 to continue his education, he picked up his musical career by joining the Hightones (an L.A. High school Band) where he sang and played Lead Guitar.

The Vietnam War and a desire to return to Mexico saw him form his first Rock band, La Verdad.  This band was formed with his brother Mike McDonald (Bass), Carlos Quevedo (Keyboards), Chemo (Drums) and Jackie on Lead Guitar and Vocals. It was the last of the 60’s and the 70’s and the influences/ music played during this period was Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Canned Heat and Iron Butterfly. La Verdad became a popular cult band in the clubs of Puerto Vallarta (Posada Vallarta) and Mazatlan (El Mauna Loa).

In 1973 Jackie travelled to Tijuana and worked in the clubs and music haunts with two well known Rock bands, Bravo and then Tibacs. TV appearances and several recordings were completed during this time.

Jackie travelled to Australia to join his new Australian wife in 1975 and started work with Hot Spring, a Rock band on the North Shore of Sydney. He then moved on to playing the Club circuit and backing Club acts with Victor De Bono Trio, who had a residence at South Sydney Juniors Leagues Club. Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music - Jazz Studies Course for two years- were completed.

Returning to Mexico in 1983, Jacky joined Caminante, a Latin “ten piece” band that was established and already had a huge following. This band played throughout the state of Nayarit, Mexico and recorded several original songs by Jackie, Nada Soy Sin Ti and Tuve Ese Sueno Otra Ves, which where played on local and national radio. The experience in playing at large outdoor festivals/celebrations throughout Mexico was also gained at this time.

Keen to establish his own band in Mexico, Jackie formed Transito in 1985. This was a Latin and Rock band that played throughout Mexico and received regular airplay for their single, Son Mentiras.
Returning once again to Australia in 1986 with a change of pace, Jackie joined a Cabaret act, Superlatino. This Trio played through out Australia and Asia.

In 1988 The Mexicans was formed in Sydney.  This was traditional Mexican music that was played in the clubs and wine bars of Sydney and South and North Coasts of Australia.

The introduction of Midi Technology enabled Jackie to make his own personalized backing tracks and establish himself as a solo performer in the 1990’s. The music was still Rock, Ballads, Popular and Latin but the audiences were in Restaurants, Clubs, Hotels and Bars. Still sort out to play at festivals, he played at the first Blue Mountians Blues Festival and continued with appearances at Mudgee Wine Festival and the Blackheath Food and Wine Festival.

Mexicano was formed with the move north from the Blue Mountains, N.S.W. to the Tweed and Gold Coast in 2003.
Performing usually as a solo or with a variety of Percussionists, Jackie has established himself within the corporate events, clubs, hotel; resort and restaurant area on the Gold, Tweed and Fraser Coasts.

Continuing to be in demand to play at Festivals, Jackie has played recently at The Hervey Bay Whale Festival, Yagubi Festival, Tweed River Festival, and the Childers Festival of Culture.