Some brief but fantastic footage of the Bill Evans trio featuring the great Marty Morell on brushes, trading with bassist Eddie Gomez:
*Brief Side Note: I recall that when I lived in Toronto (2007-2009), I used to frequently shop at Honest Ed's discount store on the corner of Yonge and Bathurst (this place had so many flashing lights on it you could clearly see it from an airplane, while landing at Pearson!). Near one of the many store exits, past the checkout tills, I distinctly remember that there was a large black and white autographed photo of Marty Morell hanging on the wall (wearing a tuxedo, with sticks and mallets in hand). The owner of Honest Ed's (the legendary Ed Mirvish) also owned many of the theatres in Toronto so I suspect they had a working relationship given that Morell lived in Toronto for awhile and played many theatre shows. I thought that was pretty cool...just not the sort of thing you'd expect to see in a discount department store! I always wondered what happened to that photo...*
I've been thinning out my cymbal collection lately and have this really nice ride cymbal for sale.
For Sale:
22" Zildjian K Custom High Definition Ride
$499
Buyer pays shipping, duty, etc.
Recording available upon request.
Send me a message to fouronthefloorblog@gmail.com with any questions.
Redesigned by Terri Lyne Carrington for 2008, the 22" K Custom High Definition Ride is thinner than the original model for greater "crashability" and feel while riding.
The result of collaboration with Terri Lyne Carrington
Well, it's certainly been a minute or two since there's been any significant blogging activity going on around these parts but I'm finally back in the saddle following a very busy stretch over the Summer months including jazz festival dates and tours with bassist Kristin Korb, vibraphonist Jason Marsalis and alto saxophonist PJ Perry, a well-needed and productive artist retreat on Vancouver Island and then finally a wonderful and extensive family holiday in Ireland. And now I'm well into September and back into the Fall routine with regular teaching and gigs starting up again. I spent last week in the studio finishing my new album and I'm looking forward to many exciting musical projects in the months ahead. Stay tuned!
Anyways, someone asked me the other day if this blog was even still happening or not (!) Yep, I'm still here but it's just been too busy over the last while to keep things consistent from behind the keyboard. Sometimes an extended break is a good thing but I'm confident that regular, weekly blogging will now resume. There is just too much good stuff to share with everyone. Thank you for all your support.
Anyhow, it's been a long time since I've written one of these columns but here's the September 2026 edition of the Monday Morning Paradiddle, my once-in-a-blue-moon curated jazz drumming variety column. Please enjoy.
The Monday Morning Paradiddle - September 2026
1. Vinnie Sperrazza continues with his exceptional Substack series Chronicles including his regular and evolving A History of Jazz Drumming series.
This is a blog about jazz, jazz drumming and all things unrelated. Thanks for stopping by!
A Bit About Me...
Jonathan McCaslin was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. Jonathan began playing the drums at the age of nine. He progressed through the Regina Lions Junior Band and the 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, 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.
Jon has also been fortunate to have performed with many of Canada's jazz elite including Charlie Biddle, Brian Hurley, Louise Rose, Alaister Kay, Mart Kinny, Gary Guthman, Mike Rud, Hadley Caliman, Greg Clayton, Chase Sanborn, Andre White, Tilden Webb, John LaBelle, Kevin Dean, Dave Turner, Ralph Bowen, Don Thompson, Dionne Taylor, Jim Vivian, Kelly Jefferson, Ian McDougall, Brad Turner, Jim Brenan, The McGill Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Johnston, Lorraine Desmerais, Steve Amirault, Hugh Fraser, Chucho Valdes, Kieran Overs, The Altsys Jazz Orchestra, Pat LaBarbera, The Regina Symphony Orchestra and The Montreal Jazz Big Band.
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 January 2003 Jon released his debut CD, “McCallum’s Island”. Featuring his quintet, the CD contains an exciting collection of McCaslin’s original compositions, featuring himself and his band. The release of this CD was followed by a twenty-day tour of Western Canada, performing to enthusiastic, capacity audiences. During March of 2003 Jonathan was the recipient of a fellowship from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and attended the “Betty Carter Jazz Ahead” residency in Washington, D.C. Along with twenty other distinguished young jazz artists, McCaslin was featured with such jazz icons as Terence Blanchard, Carmen Lundy, Winard Harper, Curtis Fuller and John Clayton.
McCaslin’s quintet performed at the 2003 edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival and was nominated for the General Motors Grand Prix du Festival (awarded to the most outstanding Canadian group). From 2004 until 2006, Jon toured North America, Asia and Europe with the high-energy, critically acclaimed music production troupe “Barrage”. Featuring a cast of seven world-class fiddlers and a four-piece band, this dynamic show featured high-energy music and fiddle traditions from around the world set to upbeat choreography and movement.
In 2015, Dr. McCaslin received his Doctorate through the University of Toronto and completed his dissertation on the conceptualization of contemporary melodic jazz drumming. He is currently based in Calgary, Alberta where he maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule across Canada.
