Donald Paul McCaslin (born August 11, 1966) is an American jazz saxophonist. He has recorded over a dozen albums as a bandleader in addition to many sideman appearances, including on David Bowie's final studio album, Blackstar (2016).
McCaslin was born in Santa Clara, California, on August 11, 1966.[1] His father was a vibraphonist, and McCaslin played in his father's ensemble at the age of twelve.[1] He had his own group in high school, which played three years at the Monterey Jazz Festival.[1]
In 1987, after studying at Berklee College of Music, McCaslin joined Gary Burton's group and toured the world with him for four years.[2][1] In 1991 he moved to New York City and was a member of Steps Ahead.[1]
In November 2014, McCaslin played saxophone on David Bowie's single "Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)".[1] Subsequently he would play saxophone on Bowie's 2016 album Blackstar.[3]
On October 14, 2016, McCaslin released Beyond Now, inspired by his experience recording Blackstar.[1] The album features the same band that appeared on Blackstar - Tim Lefebvre on bass, Jason Lindner on keyboards, and Mark Guiliana on drums.[4] The album includes two Bowie covers, as well as covers of MUTEMATH, Deadmau5, and The Chainsmokers, plus five original tracks.[4]
NPR's All Songs Considered called McCaslin's "What About the Body" single "exhilarating art-rock".[5] The album it came from, Blow, was awarded New Jazz Album of the Year by JazzJapan.[6]
