Please accept my condolences, May Don’s memory be a blessing! In the 1980s, I was often at the Cooper House, listening to Warmth. What joy Don and his band’s music gave me and friends. Thank you Sir, you were a blessing!
Love From Austin, TX
Santa Cruz & all points lost Don McCaslin on Thursday mourning. He was my favorite music teacher, mentor, parent, & friend. Many Peeps in & out of artist talent pools loved him bcz he gave it right back in spades, unconditionally. He helped us evolve. Now, DMcC got his Angel wings! ??
He was probably the most unique teacher I ever had, in a good way. Loved how he would act out stories. I was also one of the people he chose to give a nickname. Would have loved to have met up with him in Capitola, as I spend quite a bit of time in that community! He lives on in stories that I share of him. Praying for the family.
Don was Santa Cruz! We first met when Don and Jim Lewis played gigs together at Ricardos in San Jose in the '60s. I am blessed to have many fond memories shared threw the years! Don, you were a real blessing to all of Santa Cruz! Music will never be the same! I love you man!
Prayers for your family, may they find peace!
I remember going to see Don play music numerous times as a child in Capitola in the 80’s & 90’s with my grandmother, who was a good friend of his. To this day, I always love when I hear a vibraphone in a jazz song because it makes me remember the times I got to see Don play who was a great musician. Sending my sincere condolences to his family. We will keep the McCaslin’s in our prayers.
What a gift from heaven Don was, my family has lived in Santa Cruz since 1968, both my parents were educators which led me to become one. On weekends I would come down in the 70's to the Cooper house just to hear Don play. it mattered what "he played". My father taught music at Harbor High school from 1968-1985 and we would talk at length about Don's ability, what a joy to listen too.
I was a kid and my parents were coming apart. They would take turns taking me 2 the CooperHouse. Warmth was always playing on the patio. Fast forward. I drop out of college and get a job as a busboy at the CooperHouse. Four months later i am managing the place. Don n Warmth make the soundtrack to the Pacific Garden Mall. Fast forward and i am 25. Dad an i take over the Cooperhouse and i am managing partner of the restaurant. First thing I do is ask Don to bring back Warmth. Last thing i do 5 months later is tell Don we are closing because the coke-snorting business sellers are breaking the deal. Fast forward 15 years. Don is playing for dad's 60th birthday at the house. I fly back from DC and give Don the gift of one of the bronze buffalo head bar rail holders off the CooperHouse bar. Life passes by so quickly. He always made the music. A joyful and kind and gentle man. For him it was always...always about the magic of music to bring us together
Thanks Don. Many great memories of you around the Crz. Thank you for letting me sit in on a couple of tunes at The New Riverside restaurant.
Thank you Don for helping get my "Mojo" back into my playing. I cherish those times that I subbed for Dave in the warmth band. You welcomed everyone like you were welcoming them into your home and I always felt like part of a family. You were a beacon of musical fun, joy and living for the moment! Those moments were like an awakening for me. I will never forget. RIP my friend.
An icon. An inspiration. A hero. A homeboy. A friend. And a father figure for sure.
You married me to Santa Cruz, and I love you for it more than words can say.
You, and your music, live on in my head, my heart, and my soul.
From you're #1 fan, Kevin Rothwell.
