Saxofonist

Artistic Director

Prepare to be spellbound by a musical masterpiece reborn. BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY isn’t simply a concert, it’s a musical experience that transcends time and genre. Immerse yourself in the sonic tapestry of David Bowie’s final, critically acclaimed album, Blackstar, reimagined for a 65-piece orchestra.

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Nashville Symphony Presents BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY: The Music of David Bowie

Shermerhorn Symphony Center

BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY celebrates David Bowie’s final, critically acclaimed album Blackstar—reimagined for a 65-piece orchestra and performed with the original Blackstar band.

BLACKSTAR Symphony: The Music of David Bowie

Orchestra Hall

Monterey Jazz Festival brings together 20 of the most accomplished high school jazz musicians from across the country to form the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (NGJO), directed by GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer Gerald Clayton. Established in 1971, tenure in this year's NGJO culminates in a main stage performance in September at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Combo

Monterey County Fairgrounds

Embark on an otherworldly journey through David Bowie’s illustrious discography spanning decades of groundbreaking music. Propelled by a 65-piece orchestra, jazz quartet, and special guest performers, Artistic Director Donny McCaslin and conductor Jules Buckley present new arrangements of Bowie’s extraordinary music by world-renowned orchestrators including Tim Davies, Vince Mendoza, Maria Schneider, Jamshied Sharifi, Tony Visconti, and more.

California Center for the Arts

Artistic Director Donny McCaslin is best known as the saxophonist on David Bowie’s last album, Blackstar. The noted composer and bandleader has released a dozen albums over his genre-defying, GRAMMY-nominated career.

He now brings you BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY, the most electrifying presentation of Bowie’s final work to date. Set for a 55-70 piece orchestra featuring arrangements by some of the world’s best musicians, the evening is truly not to be missed!

Blackstar Symphony: The Music of David Bowie

Gaillard Center

GRAMMY-winning saxophonist Donny McCaslin is a relentlessly exploratory musician who fully embraces the influences of modern electronic music and bebop in equal measure. He rose to prominence working with Maria Schneider, and though her he came to the attention of the late pop icon David Bowie, who employed the saxophonist and his quartet (including Mark Guiliana) to be the band on his final statement of artistic genius, 2016’s Blackstar. McCaslin’s new Edition Records album, Body Blow, is an inspired electro-acoustic session featuring the Blackstar band, keyboardist Jason Lindner, bassist Tim LeFebvre, and drummer Guiliana. For this night, Kneebody drumming great Nate Wood stands in for Guiliana, who leads his own group for the other half of the evening.



Donny Mccaslin Quartet / Mark Guiliana Beat Music

SFJAZZ Center

Donny McCaslin is a progressive jazz artist whose music is forward-reaching while being tethered to the roots of many musical traditions. “I Want More” is the latest chapter of his evolution as a writer and improviser who is fearless and pushing boundaries.

Donny McCaslin: I Want More

Joe's Pub

The world is in turmoil: political crises, social tensions and a music market in flux also challenge jazz – and the people who create it. Six prominent jazz musicians – the mentors of this year’s Jazz Academy, which brings together young musicians on their way to becoming professional – talk about life at the crossroads of art, livelihood and present times. How is the everyday life of musicians changing? What new opportunities are emerging – what are being lost? What role does jazz have in a time of uncertainty – artistic, social, commercial, perhaps even political? An evening about artistic realities in 2025 – personal, open and direct.

Jazz Now: Navigating a Changing World

Elbphilharmonie

Many young musicians dream of performing on the stage of the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. For some of them, this dream will become reality. Selected for the Elbphilharmonie Jazz Academy, talented young jazz musicians on their way to a professional career receive a week of coaching under the guidance of Donny McCaslin and other renowned musicians and instructors. The crowning finale is a joint concert that presents the results of the week – the exact programme remains a surprise until shortly before the concert.

Donny McCaslin presents Elbphilharmonie Jazz Academy

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Prepare to be transported by a musical masterpiece reborn. Immerse yourself in David Bowie’s final, critically acclaimed album, Blackstar, reimagined for a 65-piece orchestra and performed in its entirety with Artistic Director Donny McCaslin and members of his jazz quartet that created the album alongside Bowie. The evening culminates in a celebration onstage featuring performances of “Space Oddity,” “Life on Mars,” “Heroes,” and more – each song a testament to the legacy of the Starman himself.

Saxofonist, Artistic Director

Donny McCaslin

Events

Upcoming events

Aug 19, 2025

Jazz Now: Navigating a Changing World · Elbphilharmonie

Aug 24, 2025

Donny McCaslin presents Elbphilharmonie Jazz Academy · Elbphilharmonie

Oct 9, 2025

BLACKSTAR Symphony: The Music of David Bowie · Colorado Symphony

Past events

Jun 18, 2025

Nashville Symphony Presents BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY: The Music of David Bowie · Nashville Symphony

May 22, 2025

BLACKSTAR Symphony: The Music of David Bowie · Detroit Symphony Orchestra

About

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