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Jazz Articles about Steve Davis
Zach Adleman: We Make: Stories For A New Day
by David A. Orthmann
From beginning to end, Zach Adleman's debut as a leader, We Make: Stories For A New Day, fires on all cylinders. The twenty-something drummer inhabits the roles of player, composer, arranger, and bandleader with the aplomb of a seasoned veteran. A hungry, assertive band includes two generations of compatible hands who produce a fresh and vital sound that mirrors the straight-ahead, acoustic jazz tradition Adleman penned nine compositions that are sturdy, substantive, and melodically rich. We have ...
Continue ReadingRenee Rosnes: Crossing Paths
by Katchie Cartwright
In the course of a career that began in the 1980s and continues to flourish, Renee Rosnes has developed an extraordinary sound, both as a composer and as a pianist, one that is readily recognizable whatever the context. With Crossing Paths, she taps into longstanding affinities and affection for Brazilian music, illuminating elements and flavors that distinguish her singular style, animating the band and the material with her arranging magic. She opens the curtain with “Frevo," grabbing the ...
Continue ReadingSteve Davis Quintet at Smoke Jazz Club
by G. Pascal Zachary
Steve Davis Quintet SMOKE Jazz & Supper Club New York, NY November 7, 2024 Steve Davis is a compelling trombonist who has gained deserved attention from his periodic gigs at Smoke and for his excellent recent recordings on Smoke's Sessions label, which draws chiefly on live performances from this cozy club on Broadway in upper Manhattan. I heard the opening set on Thursday November 7 when the Davis and his current all-star group released a ...
Continue ReadingMatt Dwonszyk: Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma
by Edward Blanco
Bassist, composer and educator Matt Dwonszyk, based in New York City since 2023, is actually from Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and for some time was part of the Hartford jazz scene, where he taught and performed with the late pianist and educator Don DePalma. DePalma was a legend of that scene, playing a vital role in its development and becoming a co-founder of the legendary 880 Club. Dwonszyk and friends pay tribute to DePalma on the outstanding Donny Time: The Music ...
Continue ReadingMichael Dease: Grove's Groove
by Richard J Salvucci
The story of Michael Dease's journey from sax to trombone and back again is one any parent of a musically talented child could recognize. Dease started out as an alto saxophonist in middle school. Sometime later, he wanted to switch to the baritone sax. He worked at it. And worked at it some more. His combination of talent and practice paid off. Dease became something of a young monster on the horn, outplaying his senior bandmates in high school. But ...
Continue ReadingNeil Swainson Sextet: Here for a While
by Pierre Giroux
Neil Swainson's Here For A While is a tutorial in modern jazz composition and ensemble synergy. Swainson, a bassist of profound depth and melodic sensibility, has gathered a formidable sextet for this project, including Brad Turner on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kelly Jefferson on tenor andsoprano saxophones, Steve Davis on trombone, Renee Rosnes on piano and Quincy Davis on drums. Together, they bring to life nine compositions that are as intricate as they are engaging, each a testament to Swainson's skill ...
Continue ReadingOne for All: Big George
by Joshua Weiner
Smoke Sessions Records, based out of NYC's Smoke Jazz Club, has a fascinating recording model: artists play a few nights at the club, take a day off, and then go into a studio such as the famous Sear Sound to record their repertoire for release. They been putting out some excellent material, the latest of which is the first album in seven years from the sextet One for All. The title, Big George, reveals what sets this one apart from ...
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