Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Donny McCaslin was born August 11, 1966 growing up in Santa Cruz, California. Inspired by his pianist/vibraphonist father, Donny began playing the saxophone at 12 and quickly progressing played in his father’s band. While in high school he toured the U.S., Japan and Europe with his own band and youth ensembles. He played the Monterey Jazz Festival for three years as a member of the Festival’s California All-Star Band.

Receiving a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in 1984, it was during his matriculation that Donny came under the influence of Gary Burton, Herb Pomeroy, Billy Pierce, George Garzone and Joe Viola. He performed regularly around Boston and Cambridge with the True Colors Big Band and in 1987 joined Burton’s group and toured with him for four years.

Moving to New York in 1991 McCaslin replaced Michael Brecker in Steps Ahead, staying with them until ’94. He has played with the Gil Evans Orchestra, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, Danilo Perez, Maria Schneider, and Santi DiBriano. In 2006 he joined the Dave Douglas Quintet.

His first release as a leader came in 1998 with “Exile and Discovery” and he has continued performing, recording and issuing releases under his own name with his latest 2012 release “Casting For Gravity”.

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