Jazz @ 1308 is a new music concert series that features local Calgary jazz artists.

Curated by jazz drummer Dr. Jon McCaslin, the original and creative voices of Calgary's jazz scene come alive, on stage at Theatre 1308.

This concert series features a diverse collection of sonic ideas, visions, styles, instruments and ensembles, all of which of fall under the wide reaching definition of jazz music. The central theme that binds these diverse and eclectic sounds together is that the artists involved represent the creative and forward thinkers of Calgary's Jazz community. These are the artists who have committed themselves to their craft, as improvisors and composers, and seek to create, collaborate and inspire. These local jazz artists aspire to share their diverse experiences and talents, and to create dynamic and original music in their own community. Come witness the present and the future of jazz in Calgary at Theatre 1308.

About Jon McCaslin

Recognized as one of Western Canada’s leading jazz drummers and educators, Jon McCaslin brings excitement and his passion for the jazz tradition and its future to the bandstand and to the classroom.

Raised in Regina, Saskatchewan Jon began playing the drums at the age of nine while progressing through the Regina Lions Junior Band and award winning music program at his high school, Campbell Collegiate, soon developing a passion for playing the drums and jazz.

Ultimately, Jon's interest in music led him to enroll in the Jazz Studies program at McGill University, graduating with distinction in 1999. 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, Joe Sullivan, Remi Bolduc, Chris McCann, Andre White, Michel Lambert and Dave Laing.

He attended the Banff Centre for the Arts in 1997, where he performed with Canadian jazz greats Hugh Fraser, Don Thompson and Kenny Wheeler. In the spring of 2002 McCaslin completed his Master's in Jazz Studies at McGill University where he studied jazz drumming, improvisation and composition.

In 2012 he released his album “Sunalta” on the Cellar Live jazz record label featuring Brad Turner, Phil Dwyer, Tilden Webb and Jodi Proznick. This music was nominated in 2013 for the Western Canadian Music Awards in the “Best Jazz Recording” category. As a busy sideman he has also performed with such internationally recognized artists as Mulgrew Miller, Peter Bernstein, Ralph Bowen, Hendrik Meurkens, Sean Jones, PJ Perry, Charlie Biddle, Hadley Caliman, Kelly Jefferson, Ian McDougall,  Jeff Johnston, Lorraine Desmerais, Steve Amirault, Hugh Fraser, Chucho Valdes, Uri Caine, Peter Apfelbaum, Wycliffe Gordon, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Luis Bonilla, Linda Oh, Harold Mabern and Pat LaBarbera. 

Dr. McCaslin completed his Doctorate in Jazz Studies through the University of Toronto in 2015, researching the conceptualization of contemporary melodic jazz drumming.

Since 2009 he has authored “Four on the Floor” www.jonmccaslinjazzdrummer.blogspot.com, one of the world’s most recognized on-line jazz drumming blogs. He is currently based in Calgary where he maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule across Canada.