Jazz Articles about Donny McCaslin

Donny McCaslin: Perpetual Motion

by Warren Allen
January 18, 2011

Donny McCaslin has long been one of the under-sung superstars of the modern tenor saxophone. In recent years, however, as both a leader and sideman with big band leader Maria Schneider, the Mingus Dynasty band, and trumpeter Dave Douglas, McCaslin has gained more and more well-deserved recognition. Drawing off the best of the 21st century's jazz, funk and rock fusion, Perpetual Motion demonstrates the sheer power of McCaslin as a player, and the individuality of his musical vision.

Donny McCaslin

by Laurel Gross
April 17, 2010

If saxophonist Donny McCaslin's life were made into a movie, the following 'scene' could be a natural start: A young boy perched on a stool on the bandstand at a California mall. Too young to be let loose to wander, it's an efficient way his working father could keep an eye on the boy and still do his regular Sunday gig playing standards. The grown-up McCaslin--now juggling the delights and rigors of new fatherhood with his career ...

Donny McCaslin Group at The Jazz Standard, Dec. 16, NYC

by Ernest Barteldes
December 28, 2009

Donny McCaslin Group Jazz Standard New York, New York December 16, 2009

The music from Donny McCaslin's recent album Declaration was the basis of this evening's first set, which was part of the saxophonist's two-day stand at the Manhattan jazz club, where he appeared with his nine-piece ensemble (Ben Monder: guitar; Hans Glawischnig: bass; John Clarke: French horn; Marshall Gilkes: trombone; Ed Simon:piano; Alex “Sasha" Sipiagin: trumpet; Marcus Rojas: tuba; Adam Cruz: ...

Donny McCaslin: Declaration

by Tom Greenland
December 6, 2009

Declaration is tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin's eighth solo effort, a compilation of original compositions and arrangements featuring a three- to five-horn brass section including trumpets, trombones, French horn and tuba. With Edward Simon (piano/organ), Ben Monder (guitar), Scott Colley (bass) and Antonio Sanchez (drums) making up the core band, the result is a far denser sound than his previous trio outing. Like earlier efforts, McCaslin's songs are sterling, ranging from bittersweet ballads to funky rock to quirky ...

Donny McCaslin: Declaration

by Troy Collins
August 7, 2009

Venturing into unexplored territory, New York-based tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin's third recording for Sunnyside Records is a marked departure from his previous release, the stripped-down trio session Recommended Tools (Greenleaf, 2008). Augmenting his working ensemble with an understated brass section, Declaration showcases McCaslin's stellar skills as an improviser while demonstrating his mettle as a burgeoning writer and arranger.

Renowned for his Olympian tenor solos, McCaslin's facile interpretive abilities were honed under the tutelage of George Garzone and Billy ...

Donny McCaslin: Recommended Tools

by Tom Greenland
November 11, 2008

Recommended Tools, saxophonist Donny McCaslin's seventh session as a leader and his first for Dave Douglas' Greenleaf Music, follows in the tenor trio tradition of Sonny Rollins' A Night at the Village Vanguard and Joe Henderson's The State of the Tenor. Going chordless, without the safety-net of a comping instrument, gives the frontline instrumentalist more latitude to take it out, but also creates additional pressure to establish and develop an improvisational narrative--a task that McCaslin proves well up to. Featuring ...

Donny McCaslin Trio: Recommended Tools

by Woodrow Wilkins
October 26, 2008

The title song to Donny McCaslin Trio's Recommended Tools says it all. The tenor sax, bass and drums go all out in a freely expressive preview of what's to come. Each instrument gets its moment in the spotlight.McCaslin is a product of Santa Cruz, California, and a father who played piano and vibraphone. He began playing tenor sax at the age of twelve, which ultimately led to some appearances in Europe. He later joined the group Steps Ahead ...