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RADIO December 24, 2018

Donny McCaslin Live at BIMHUIS, Amsterdam

As the bandleader on David Bowie's final album Blackstar, saxophonist Donny McCaslin witnessed first-hand the musician's penchant for reinvention. McCaslin applied that mindset to his new album Blow, which combines his propulsive saxophone playing with vibrant electronica and bombastic alternative rock, and which contains influences of jazz as well as from the likes of Radiohead and Bon Iver. “Before working with Bowie, things like this didn't seem possible to me," McCaslin said about his new songs, were performed ...

ALBUM REVIEWS September 11, 2018

Donny McCaslin: Blow

By Roger Farbey

At first listen, Blow sounds more like a rock album than a jazz one. The catchy “What About The Body" could arguably be mistaken for one of King Crimson's more vituperative numbers featuring Adrian Belew. Ryan Dahle's emotionally-charged vocals are equally at the forefront of the explosive “Club Kidd." But the selection also includes three instrumental tracks too, such as the grungy, anthemic “Break The Bond," the polyrhythmic “Beast," and “Exactlyfourminutesofimprovisedmusic" (which speaks for itself) all underpinned by Tim Lefebvre's ...

LIVE REVIEWS June 19, 2018

Donny McCaslin Group / Ensemble LPR: Symphonic Bowie at Central Park SummerStage

By Kurt Gottschalk

Donny McCaslin Group / Ensemble LPRCentral Park SummerStage Symphonic Bowie New York, NY June 9, 2018 New York City can't stop saying goodbye to David Bowie. And with good reason. The rock legend lived in Manhattan for more than 20 years and often spoke fondly of his adopted city. On June 9, another tribute was staged, this one at Central Park's SummerStage featuring Donny McCaslin, whose band backed Bowie on his final album, followed ...

GENIUS GUIDE TO JAZZ January 4, 2018

Preferential Treatment

By Jeff Fitzgerald, Genius

If you know anything at all about Your Own Personal Genius, you know that I like my steaks Pittsburgh rare (which has nothing to do with the article, but if you ever have me over for dinner). And, you know that I have a major thing for Canadian actress Tatiana Maslany, from the show Orphan Black. You also know that I'm not one to play favorites, and I also have a crush on actress Heather Lind from the show Turn: ...

LIVE REVIEWS October 31, 2017

Donny McCaslin At Belfast International Arts Festival 2017

By Ian Patterson

Donny McCaslin Limelight Belfast International Arts Festival jny:Belfast, N. Ireland October 25, 2017 “Are you here because of Bowie or for jazz?" a woman asked those around her in the queue for Donny McCaslin's gig--part of the Belfast International Arts Festival. The answer, by and large, was both. McCaslin's current group will likely always be remembered--and no doubt billed for some time to come--as David Bowie's backing band on Black Star ...

IN PICTURES July 7, 2017

Ottawa Jazz Festival 2017

By John R. Fowler

I always look forward to my hometown festival and over the past 30 years I have photographed Canadian and international artists that have performed at the Ottawa Jazz Festival. I try to capture the personality, energy, emotion, dedication and skill these talented artists display while playing jazz. Many of my festival photos have been exhibited in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre, National Library and Archives of Canada, National Press Club and at the Ginn Gallery.Enjoy a sampling of this ...

LIVE REVIEWS January 25, 2017

The Donny McCaslin Group at The Arden Gild Hall

By Mike Jacobs

The Donny McCaslin Group Arden Gild Hall Arden, Delaware January 14, 2017 Arden Delaware isn't exactly known as a jazz mecca but, with the coming of the Donny McCaslin Group to the Arden Gild Hall, it became one--for a little while at least. And in the best jazz traditions, the show presented in Arden had all of the elements you would expect from one of those meccas--innovation, exploration, technical excellence and passion--presented by players in ...