Donny McCaslin is not KIDding!

Donny McCaslin will be joining me tomorrow for an exclusive interview, where we talk about his path to working with David Bowie on Blackstar, the creative process behind the album, his thoughts on key tracks and performances, the emotional and artistic weight the record carries, and how its legacy continues through projects like Beyond Now and the Blackstar Symphony.

All week on the blog, I’ve been featuring Donny’s Bowie-related work outside of Blackstar—after all, everyone already knows and loves Blackstar. Today’s focus is his latest single, “KID,” and I’ll have more to say about that in a moment.

This project has been enormously fun to do. Getting to speak with someone like Donny McCaslin—who was so essential to the creation of one of my favorite albums by my favorite artist—feels almost too good to be true. On top of that, it’s introduced me to music I might never have encountered otherwise. Donny was already a major figure in the jazz world before Blackstar, but it was that collaboration that led me to explore more of his work. And here’s the thing for fellow Bowie fans: if you like Blackstar, there’s a good chance you’ll like everything else Donny does. You’ll hear what I mean on “KID.”

Rather than describe it, I’ve embedded the video so you can hear for yourself. It doesn’t necessarily sound melodically like anything in particular on Blackstar, but as soon as you hear that bassline—courtesy of fellow Bowie alumnus Tim Lefebvre—you’ll understand the connection.

According to promotional material from Edition Records, “KID” is available as a 7-inch vinyl and digital release. It follows Donny’s 2023 album I Want More, which Mojo Magazine described as “emotive electro-jazz,” and which De Volkskrant praised for its “adventurous spirit.” The “KID” release includes two tracks: “KID” and “Maxine.” “KID” is an instrumental collaboration with Lefebvre, produced by Lefebvre and David Fridmann. It features electronic sub-bass and saxophone lines treated with delay and reverb—not used for traditional solos, but to create immersive texture.

Once you’ve heard him play, come back tomorrow to hear Donny McCaslin in a conversation you won’t want to miss.