Donny McCaslin is an American modern jazz saxophonist based in New York City. Born in Santa Cruz, Calif., he grew up playing saxophone (his father was a vibraphonist and pianist). In high school, he played in all-star jazz ensembles and went on to attend the Berklee School of Music.
He replaced Michael Brecker in Steps Ahead and worked as a sideman for many years before starting his solo career in 1998 with “Exile and Discovery”.
He and his band backed David Bowie’s final studio album, “Blackstar” (2016), and this experience changed his approach to music, leading him to move toward a more rock-influenced sound, starting with 2016’s “Beyond Now”, featuring several Bowie covers, and “Blow.” (2018), which marked a total departure from his electronic jazz fusion sound, with a rock-style lineup featuring vocalists Ryan Dahle, Jeff Taylor, and Gail Ann Dorsey.