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Jonathan McCaslin was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in Regina.  Jonathan began playing the drums at the age of nine.  He progressed through the Regina Lions Junior Band and the Campbell Collegiate music program, soon developing a passion for playing jazz.  Ultimately, Jon’s interest led him to enroll in the Jazz Studies program at McGill University, graduating with distinction in 1999. In the spring of 2002 he completed his Master’s in Jazz Studies at McGill.  While at McGill Jon had the opportunity to study with some of the finest jazz educators in the country including Gordon Foote, Kevin Dean, Jan Jarcyzk, Chris McCann, Andre White, Michel Lambert and Dave Laing.  He also attended the prestigious summer jazz workshop presented by the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1997 where he performed with Canadian Jazz greats Hugh Fraser, Don Thompson and Kenny Wheeler.  McCaslin also recently performed with Hugh Fraser and the Banff Jazz Orchestra featuring world famous Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdes.  Jon has performed with Charlie Biddle, Brad Turner, Brian Hurley, Louise Rose, Alaister Kay, Mart Kinney, Gary Guthman, Mike Rud, Hadley Caliman, Greg Clayton, Chase Sanborn, Tilden Webb, Jon LaBelle, Kevin Dean, Dave Turner, Kelly Jefferson, The McGill Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Johnston, Lorraine Desmarais, Steve Amirault, Kieran Overs, The Altsys Jazz Orchestra, Pat LaBarbera, The Regina Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Jazz Big Band.  From 2004 to 2006 Jon toured North America, Asia and Europe with the music production troupe “Barrage”. Jon currently resides in Calgary where he maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Jazz Studies through the University of Toronto and is researching the conceptualization of contemporary jazz drumming.

(2010/02/07)