By Erica Baumgardner '16

Knox College students had a chance to learn firsthand from internationally recognized saxophonist and composer Donny McCaslin during the College's second annual Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency.

McCaslin, winner of the 2008 and 2009 Down Beat Critics Poll for his composition "Rising Star on the Tenor Saxophone," led students through a weeklong series of intensive workshops, all in preparation for their final performance.

"The students are really inquisitive, interested, and just a pleasure to work with," said McCaslin about his week with the students.

Both the Knox Ensemble, performing original compositions by McCaslin, and the the Cherry Street Combo, Knox College's small jazz ensemble, had the opportunity to open for McCaslin and members of his acclaimed Casting for Gravity Band at the end of the residency.