NEC Jazz Orchestra

Woodwinds Nigel Yancey , soprano and alto saxophones, flute, clarinet Yu Wang, alto saxophone Hunter Smith, tenor saxophone Patrick Noonan, tenor saxophone Daniel Sagastume , baritone saxophone, bass clarinet

Trumpets Rhythm Section Jeffrey Cox Inigo Ruiz de Gondejuela, piano Tree Palmedo Max Light, guitar Massimo Paparello James Dale, bass Alex Quinn Eladio Rojas, drums

Trombones Special Guests How to Say Goodbye: Blake Manternach Harrison Honor, percussion John Cushing Julian Loida, percussion The Music of Ken Schaphorst Tyler Bonilla Christopher Bassett and Donny McCaslin

NEC Jazz Orchestra

This organization is supported in part Ken Schaphorst, director by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, with and by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, Donny McCaslin, tenor saxophone a local agency funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council Jerry Leake, percussion and administrated by the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism, and Special Events. Unauthorized use of cameras and tape recorders is not allowed in Jordan Hall. Please switch off cellular phones, pagers, and watch alarms. Assistive Listening Devices are available for Jordan Hall concerts at the coatroom, or by contacting the Head Usher or House Manager on duty. necmusic.edu/cloud Connect with NEC and our music on Facebook, Twitter, and beyond, and sign up for e-mail news bulletins.

Thursday, December 8, 2016 7:30 p.m. NEC’s Jordan Hall necmusic.edu/concerts

Donny McCaslin grew up in Santa Cruz, CA. Inspired by his father, a pianist and vibraphonist, the young McCaslin started playing tenor saxophone at twelve, PROGRAM and quickly progressed, touring Europe and participating in the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival’s California All-Star band while in high school. After ______attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he joined Berklee professor ’s quintet, with whom he toured for four years. McCaslin moved to New York in 1991, working with bassist Eddie Gomez and then joining the group Steps Ahead, with whom he made the 1995 disc Vibe (NYC Records). But Ken Schaphorst Green City he really began to turn heads with his solo work in larger ensembles – first Ken Schaphorst’s big band, and subsequently the acclaimed Maria Schneider Amnesia Orchestra, where his performance on the album received a Grammy nomination for “Best Jazz Instrumental Solo” in 2004. McCaslin Hoagy Carmichael Skylark joined ’s quintet in 2005. Reviewing the Douglas Quintet in Jazz Johnny Mercer Alexandra Keller, voice Times , Josef Woodard wrote of McCaslin: “He’s a versatile player who moves arr. Ken Schaphorst easily between inside and outside musical zones . . . . [T]here’s a fluidity and grace to his playing even when he’s pushing at envelopes.” Ken Schaphorst Mbira In 2014, McCaslin and his band collaborated with on his final recording, Blackstar . And McCaslin’s most recent release, Beyond Now , recorded Descent three months after Bowie’s passing, is described by McCaslin as “an expression of that journey . . . David allowed Blackstar to be what it was going to be

regardless of how people might have categorized it. More than anything, it was

his fearlessness in crossing musical boundaries and genres in his music and life Intermission that inspired the risks I’m taking in Beyond Now . I am indebted to Bowie for

showing me the risks and rewards of going for your uncompromising musical

vision.” Ken Schaphorst How to Say Goodbye Donny McCaslin has been on the NEC faculty since 2010.

Blues for Herb

Donny McCaslin Second Line Sally arr. Ken Schaphorst

David Bowie, Brian Eno Warszawa arr. Ken Schaphorst

Donny McCaslin Fast Future arr. Ken Schaphorst