Donny McCaslin

Donny McCaslin

(1966–)

Santa Cruz, CA, United States

A tenor saxophonist active in the NYC post-bop scene. Grammy winner as a member of the Maria Schneider Orchestra. His quartet's edgy sound caught David Bowie's ear, leading to his role as bandleader on Bowie's final album Blackstar.

The band on David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowieデヴィッド・ボウイ's final album Blackstar (2016) were all NYC jazz musicians. Bowie saw Donny McCaslinDonny McCaslinDonny McCaslinドニー・マッキャスリン's quartet at the 55 Bar in Greenwich Village on composer Maria Schneider's recommendation and hired the entire group. Drummer Mark GuilianaMark GuilianaMark Guilianaマーク・ジュリアナ, also known for his duo with Brad Mehldau, played on every track. The album was released on Bowie's 69th birthday; he died two days later. It won five Grammys.

— Track by Track: Mark Guiliana on David Bowie's Blackstar, Modern Drummer, 2016

fact-checked

Donny McCaslin's albums

★
★
David Bowie · 2016

In late 2014, David Bowie walked into 55 Bar, a small Greenwich Village jazz club, and saw Donny McCaslinDonny McCaslinDonny McCaslinドニー・マッキャスリン's quartet. He hired the entire band for ★★★David Bowie · 2016 — Mark GuilianaMark GuilianaMark Guilianaマーク・ジュリアナ on drums, Tim Lefebvre on bass, Jason Lindner on keyboards. All were front-line NYC jazz musicians. The album was released on Bowie's 69th birthday, two days before his death.

— Donny McCaslin on Working with David Bowie, JazzTimes, 2016

fact-checked
Donny McCaslin's albums