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James Davis
James Davis is a trumpet player and composer in Chicago, IL.
About Me
James Davis, a Chicago trumpeter and music maker, is comfortable in and enjoys exploring a wide
array of musical environments. As a composer, improviser, and educator he is involved in a
diverse blend of musical communities in the Chicagoland area.
In addition to leading different formations of his own groups, James has also recently collaborated
and/or recorded with Matt Ulery, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Chris Dammann's Restroy, The
Metropolitan Jazz Octet, The Heritage Jazz Orchestra, and The New Standard Jazz Orchestra. He
has performed at many of Chicago’s premier performance venues including The Chicago Jazz
Festival, The Green Mill and Jazz Showcase. James’ playing has been heard at famed venues and
festivals around the world including The Kennedy Center, The Montreaux Jazz Festival, The North
Sea Jazz Festival, and the Montreal Jazz Festival. James has earned recognition as a finalist both in
the 2004 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Improvisation Competition and the 2007 Carmine
Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition and has completed degrees at the University of
Texas at Arlington, and at the University of North Texas. At UNT, James had the opportunity to
tour and record with the Grammy nominated One O’clock Lab Band and the UNT Wind
Symphony.
In addition to appearing on dozens of other’s Jazz and creative music albums, James’ playing and
compositions are featured on his group Beveled’s newest release Remain Calm as well
as Disappearing Roads (2018), Beveled (2014), the James Davis Quintet album Angles of
Refraction, the avant-rock/jazz/improv band Zing!’s, Magnetic Flux, multiple albums with Albertan
drummer Karl Schwonik, among others. He is currently on faculty at Triton College, Wheaton
College, and Harold Washington College.
