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Rick Davies
On the salsa, Afro-Caribbean, and Latin jazz scenes, he has performed with many artists and groups (Tito Puente, Johnny Colon, Charlie Palmieri, Marc Anthony, Skah Shah, Ti Manno, Tabou Combo, Arrow, Rey Reyes, Johnny Ray, Manny Oquendo’s Libre, etc.) and recorded on over one hundred albums. For over a decade, he was the musical director of Wayne Gorbea’s Salsa Picante, performing, composing and arranging works for the group’s popular recordings. A long association with Jackie Byard and his Apollo Stompers is one highlight of Davies’ mainstream jazz credits. He is featured on Byard’s Phantasies II recording.
Davies remains very active as a performer. He has recorded with the rock group Blondie as well as with Michael Jackson and Wyclef Jean. Davies also did live appearances with Wyclef for President and Mrs. Clinton and at the Giants stadium Netaid concert. He also filmed a VH1 Storytellers episode with Wyclef and the Refugee All-Stars. Davies has traveled extensively with the Big Apple Circus, and appears regularly with Salsa Picante in New York City and around the world. Davies is the leader of the Burlington, VT based Latin jazz band Jazzismo and recently released (2006) his second album of original compositions called Siempre Salsa.
As a scholar, Davies has written several monographs, chapters, and articles primarily about Afro-Cuban music and salsa. His book, Trompeta: Chappott�-n, Chocolate, and Afro- Cuban Trumpet Style, was released in May 2003 by Scarecrow Press. He contributed a chapter on Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros to Music From Cuba (Praeger Press, 2001). Other articles he has written include “The Cuban Sonero: Beny Moré and Miguelito Cun�-,” “Miguelito Valdés, the First Salsa Superstar,” “The Latin Jazz Continuum,” and “Americanizing The Eurocentric Music Curriculum”.
Davies received a Ph.D. from New York University in 1999 (his dissertation was on Cuban brass performance). He is currently a Professor of Music at Plattsburgh State University of New York (SUNY).
Gear
Shires Trombone
Tags
I first heard about Siempre Salsa by Rick Davies when fellow contributor, Pietro Carbognani from Italy, posted some information about it in the weekly electronic newsletter, Que Corra La Voz, produced by Los Colaboradores Salseros. The information that Pietro posted was enough to peak my interest. Once I obtained the CD, I discovered that it is indeed an excellent recording!
The CD also contains some excellent Latin jazz tracks, performed by Jazzismo; the Burlington, Vermont jazz sextet. Although more properly classified as Latin jazz, many salsa dancers will find them dance-worthy, especially the track Insomnio; which I particularly like. Members of Jazzismo include Rick Davies (trombone), Alex Stewart (saxophone), Tom Cleary (piano), John Rivers (bass), Jeff Salisbury (drums) and Steve Farraris (congas).
Primary Instrument
Trombone
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
Professor at SUNY Plattsburgh Specializes in Jazz, Trombone, Latin American Music, Music Technology
Clinic/Workshop Information
I lecture and conduct workshops in Latin American Music.
