Jazz Articles
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Charles Davis: For The Love Of Lori
by Hrayr Attarian
Saxophonist Charles Davis' paean to his late wife, For the Love of Lori, is more of a musical celebration of her spirit than a requiem. Sure, there are moments of intense sorrow and nostalgic melancholy but they are enveloped in positive, swinging creativity. On “What'll I Do?" for instance, Davis' wistful soliloquy is filled with reserved anguish and enveloped with elegant lyricism. Trumpeter Joe Magnarelli's muted, soothing tone marks his intricate improvisation while trombonist Steve Davis' soft, resonant ...
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by Dan Bilawsky
Coping with loss is never easy. Some are completely defeated by the death of a loved one, choosing to retreat into isolation. Others prefer to reflect, celebrate the life that was lived, and play on. Saxophonist Charles Davis is part of the latter group. Davis lost his wife--Lori Samet-Davis--in April of 2012, but he didn't let that loss break his will to create. This album, a straight ahead display of artistic expression and affection, is given up in tribute to ...
read moreCharles Davis: Blue Gardenia
by Jim Santella
Baritone saxophonist Charles Davis started out with Sun Ra in the early 1950s. Along the way, he’s paid his dues in the big bands of Clark Terry, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Illinois Jacquet and Lionel Hampton. He first played “Blue Gardenia” with Dinah Washington in the late ‘50s. As a leader, he’s only issued a few recordings: Dedicated To Tadd (West 54, 1979), Super 80 (Nilva, 1982), and Reflections (Red, 1990).
Now 70, Davis continues to exercise his ...
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by C. Michael Bailey
Charles Davis is one of those musicians who has capably plied his craft for over 50 years, working alongside disparate characters like Sun Ra and Thad Jones while garnering little or no commercial recognition for his meager but excellent output as a leader. On Blue Gardenia everything about Charles Davis and his playing smacks of hard bop from the '50s and '60s. What kind of sound does he have? Imagine if Dexter Gordon had played baritone saxophone rather than tenor. ...
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