Donny McCaslin Signs to Edition Records

Something is happening around Donny McCaslin. The visionary saxophonist and composer will unleash a new body of work on Edition Records starting with two new singles in May 2022 to coincide with his European tour dates followed by full album release in 2023. Bursting with an unequivocal energy, drive and intent, Donny, who shot to attention as the bandleader behind David Bowie’s album ‘Blackstar’, is an Artist who wants to explore the unknown and to do so in his own way. A modernist thinker who will always put the Art over reward, always searching for something new to say. 

This new music, encompassing a series of singles and eventual album, is a cataclysmically important new body of work that will cement Donny as an Artist with this unique ability to draw on a vast influence and shape it into an authentically original sound identity that’s modern, progressive and relevant. Within the first two seconds of hearing Donny’s music, you know you’re listening to Donny McCaslin. His sound is like no one else’s. It’s immediate and distinctive with a commanding boldness that’s embellished with an abundance of subtleties and attention to detail.

For Donny, the new work represents something bigger than the next set of music, as he explains: ‘The vision for me is not about success. It’s an artistic thing first and then we figure out how to make success with that. After ‘BLOW.’ I wanted to make a new hybrid of jazz-rooted music but that was acceptable to a rock audience and we knew it had to come from a sound and from the soul. It wasn’t about just getting the right music and the right musicians playing it. It was about the right sound which required the right mixer and producer. And in this case, it was Dave Fridmann [The Flaming Lips] who has never worked in jazz. But it‘s that very thing that gave us the edge. It was about finding a sound that is modern, about how I can take this instrumental music and take it to another level, where it still sounds new. It was about understanding how I can put all these influences together in a way that just felt really unique and honest. Ultimately it’s about always moving forward, pushing the envelope, and not compromising which has the content that can reach beyond the jazz audience’.

For Edition, this signing is an affirmation of what the future of Jazz holds. As Dave Stapleton explains: ‘We’re living in a world with rapid change all around us. Technology, and its impact on society, as well as consumer habits, are all affecting music, and change in the Jazz industry is no exception. The sub-genre boundaries are being pushed further and the audiences are adapting in the way they consume and listen to music. As a result ‘Jazz’ is being skewed, being pushed and pulled to a point where, to some, it is becoming meaningless. At Edition, we want to be at the centre of that change, in its presentation and communication. We’re committed to challenging what Jazz is in today’s world by working with the most interesting and progressive Artists on music that challenges, brightens and moves the listener. Donny’s signing epitomises our vision. He’s a singular Artist with a huge vision. He understands his audiences and is driven to be a modern artist whilst remaining true and honest to the music at all times.

Donny McCaslin will release two new singles featuring Jason Lindner, Tim Lefebvre and Mark Guiliana in May 2022 followed by a full album release in 2023.

Visit Donny’s website here: www.donnymccaslin.com