An Interview with Donny McCaslin

KIOS | By Chris Cooke

Published February 23, 2013 at 1:56 PM CST

Last Call presents an interview with saxophonist Donny McCaslin. The saxophonist received a 2004 Grammy® nomination for “Best Jazz Instrumental Solo” for his work with the Maria Schneider Orchestra. He has also worked extensively with trumpeter Dave Douglas and his band. Inspired by the full tenor sound of Sonny Rollins, McCaslin explores a trajectory through electronic jazz on his latest effort, Casting For Gravity. Last Call fans will find much to enjoy on this bold effort with Jason Lindner on electric & acoustic pianos and synthesizers, Tim Lefebvre on bass, Mark Guiliana on drums and David Binney on vocals & additional synthesizers. McCaslin and his band performed a dynamic, exciting concert of music in February 2013 in Omaha.

For more information you may visit http://www.donnymccaslin.com/

Recording Engineer: Mike Hansen.

Chris Cooke

Chris Cooke has been a voice on radio in Omaha since 1988. While at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, he studied radio broadcasting, history and religion. Working at KVNO-FM, Cooke hosted a weekend adventuresome jazz show on the station in addition to duties as an on-air announcer on overnights, weekends and holidays. He also worked at KBLZ (the then student-run radio station) as well as KYNE-TV, and The Gateway as a reporter.
In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has also hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music. He has interviewed Horace Silver, Roy Haynes, Wayne Shorter, David Liebman, Airto Moreira, Jessica Williams and Karrin Allyson, to name a few. While not at the station Cooke maintains a web design consultancy business that has served a number of non-profit and music clients for over 20 years.

See stories by Chris Cooke