DONNY McCASLIN GROUP
Accompanying the chameleon-like pop icon David Bowie might not seem likely work for a jazz band, but tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin and his Group, with keyboardist Jason Lindner, bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Mark Guiliana are indeed responsible for the space-aged atmospherics of the Thin White Duke’s final album, Black Star, released two days before his death in January 2016. The group explores that experience further in its CD Beyond Now, released last October, but before and since Bowie, each member has made their own memorable music. Besides fronting acoustic and electric groups, McCaslin is known from trumpeter Dave Douglas’ Quartet, Maria Schneider’s Jazz Orchestra, Steps Ahead and Gary Burton’s bands. Lindner led a New York City big band in the ‘90s, but has developed a sound-sculpting multi-keyboard approach. Guiliana is among today’s major groove-makers and Lefebvre is in demand for sessions and soundtracks everywhere.