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About James Davis

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Musician

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.

Album

Pyrography II

By Paul Hecht

Label: ears&eyes Records
Released: 2026
Track listing: Hero Complex; My Chromatic Romance; LDD; Seriously; Wayne; WWFH; Countdown; A Lullaby; Like Someone in Love; Femme R

Article: Record Label Profile

Calligram Records: Chicago Meets the World

by Mark McKergow
June 23, 2026

Chicago-based Calligram Records was founded in 2023 by trumpeter Chad McCullough and saxophonist Geof Bradfield. Three years and 34 albums later, they have emerged as an authoritative and varied voice for creative jazz from the Windy City and around the world. Their output ranges from small groups to chamber jazz to lively, horn-driven soul outings. With third ...

Album

Arc and Edge

By James Davis

Label: Calligram Records
Released: 2025
Track listing: Long Road Home; Search for Itness; Rothko Sketches; Open Door, Closed Door; Unending Path; Pamplemousse; Balancing Act; Heartstring Saga; Pulsar; The Blind Watchmaker; As the Crow Flies.

Album

Christopher Dammann Sextet

By Christopher Dammann

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2025
Track listing: If I Could Time Travel I Would Mend Your Broken Heart AKA Why Did The Protests Stop; Song For Mabel; No Hope At All Other Than I Don’t Want To Die Today: Part 1; No Hope At All Other Than I Don’t Want To Die Today: Part 2; No Hope At All Other Than I Don’t Want To Die Today: Part 3; When I Was Young and My Heart Had Windows.

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Terry Callier, Tobias Meinhart, and The Thing

by Jerome Wilson
August 6, 2025

This episode features jazz hybrids by Terry Callier, Tone Forest, and The Thing as well as purer genre sounds from the likes of Melissa Aldana, Tobias Meinhart, and Mose Allison. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) ...

Article: Album Review

James Davis' Beveled: Arc and Edge

Read "Arc and Edge" reviewed by Mark Corroto

by Mark Corroto
June 1, 2025

Trumpeter James Davis' sextet is aptly named Beveled--a word that means transforming a sharp, square edge into something smoother, more refined. That concept of reshaping and softening defines both the ensemble's instrumentation and its sonic character. Davis sets the tone by trading his bright trumpet for the warmer, more introspective voice of the flugelhorn. He deepens ...

Article: Album Review

James Davis' Beveled: Arc and Edge

Read "Arc and Edge" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 31, 2025

Beveled, according to Webster's, translates roughly to “slanted" or “grooved." On Arc and Edge, flugelhornist James Davis' Chicago-based sextet clearly has its own slant on contemporary post-bop jazz wherein the groove ranges from typically improvised passages to cutting-edge motifs and classical chamber music, using a second flugelhorn, two bass clarinets and rhythm to flesh out the ...

Album

Altus: Animus Live

By Michael Hudson-Casanova

Label: Passerine Records
Released: 2024
Track listing: Recycle (live), What if Everything is Not Enough (live), Animus (live), Kind Folk (live), Train to the City (live), OK Corral (live), Etude From Another Time (live).