Born in Seattle, Washington, Doheny studied with Canadian saxophonist and bandleader Fraser MacPherson, whom he credits as a major influence.

By the late 1970s and into the mid 1980s he was appearing as a sideman with artists such as Albert Collins, Doug and the Slugs, the Coasters, the Platters, the Temptations, and Buddy Knox.

In the late 1980s he relocated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and then New York City, working with the bands of Lloyd Williams, Solomon Burke, Danny B, and Kenny Margolis.

These scores were adapted to a series of performances, Mingus Mania, parts of which appeared on the Bravo television network in the early 1990s as musical interludes.

Doheny also composed and performed source music for the soundtrack for the 1998 Bruce Sweeney film Dirty, as well as appearing with his band in the 1997 Brian Dennehy TV movie A Father's Betrayal.