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Another review for Steve Davis “Images”…

www.criticaljazz.com

Images is a somewhat personal rather conceptualized musical love letter if you will to the hometown of trombonist Steve Davis. Hardly a jazz mecca I guess the old saying is true that home is where the heart is but happiness if where your friends are. Either way i roll a doughnut living in the cultural black hole that is Louisville Kentucky. This Hartford suite while occasionally predictable is so strong from a compositional standpoint that the vibrant swing and lyrical sense of purpose and direction is only occasionally taken outside the norm for the sake of creativity. Jazz that reflects the organic pulse of a city.
Opening with “Nato” which is a tune dedicated to bassist Nat Reeves, this mid temp swing has a plethora of soloist take a lyrical crack at the sonic direction Davis intended with this straight ahead swing tunes marches by with a certain air of predictability but not without a sense of adventure and improvisational variety to keep things fresh and moving. “The Modernist” moves towards the odd meter arena but without an air of self indulgence or time wasted. There is a deceptively subtle straight ahead under pinning that requires close attention but as this is picked up on suddenly the tune takes on a new texture and sonic depth of field that could have been originally missed on the initial first pass. There is a nice even pass, a lyrical sense of purpose without undue urgency. “Park Street” is a favorite as a Latin groove is built around a blues like progression which is another of the many subtle nuances built into this stellar work.
With all most as many dedications as their are tunes there is a great deal of information here to digest. Davis is as strong a composer as he is an instrumentalist and a master of the subtle nuance of having a disc give up something new of itself with each subsequent spin. At time this formidable septet border on a more small orchestra feel with a 4 man horn section on the front line but the arrangements are spot on and the end result is highly entertaining! Musical images created from a rich and deep sonic color pallet, imagery that is as energetic as the ensemble. A fine addition to any collection and certainly West Hartford Ct. should consider itself fortunate indeed to have an instrumentalist/composer place their lovely city in such a magnificent light.
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Raul D’Gama’s AAJ review for Steve Davis “Images”…

www.allaboutjazz.com

It is easy to mistake trombonist Steve Davis for an aesthete—which he is, possessing an undying sense of lyricism to show for it. But he is a deeper musician than one who merely subscribes to the aesthetical philosophy. Each of Images‘ ten compositions far transcends warmth and lyrical beauty, standing out as astute forms of modal music that recall the finest of their kind. Davis’ ability to enrich the tonal palette of the trombone is commendable. He may not bend and twist the voice of perhaps the most human vocal-like instrument, as Roswell Rudd does. He may not reach into the thin upper registers of the instrument, as Bill Watrous does. Even though he stays fair and square within a comfortable zone— relying, if anything, on an innate bias for the bass register—Davis adorns the sound of the instrument with a husky sensuousness. He caresses, rather than simply playing, the notes. He constructs his solos with breathtaking curvilinear phrases that melt into one another, sometimes holding a note like a spinning top, before letting a cascade of others in a new idea fall on the B side of a solo.

Images has something else to offer. This fine album is played as a loosely connected suite of music dedicated to some fine aspects of Hartford, Connecticut, the trombonist’s home and a place which offers him a slew of memories from which to draw. The interesting aspect of drawing on them for a musical tribute is that the narrative in each pays close attention to the characters that drive each story. As a result, there is a distinctly individual flavor to each part of this suite.

“Nato” is breathless and fluid, “The Modernist” is almost a clinical expression derived, no doubt, from the academic character of the Museum Curator, Chick Austin, of whom the music sings. “Twain’s World” is by turns, impish and provocative. Similarly, “J Mac’s Way” is blasé and harder hitting in parts, aptly describing both character and music of the late alto saxophonist/composer Jackie McLean. “Mode for Miantonomoh” is the high point of the work, a work of exceedingly beautiful melody and harmony. And so on, until “Kenney’s” and “Club 880,” which, like the best final movements in suites classic and modern, sound like a breathtaking climax and, written in their so-called jazz idiom, are fine jams that pulsate with excitement, closing this fine piece of work.

With Images, Davis builds upon his fine legacy of thought-provoking lyricism, as one of the finest trombonists playing today.

 

 

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Brief review of Steve Davis “Images” from London’s Financial times writer Mike Hobart….

by Mike Hobart

The second track starts with an ominous opening pedal that yields to an awkwardly pulsating harmonic sequence, which Davis’s band of rising stars negotiate with ease.

Called “The Modernist”, it sets the agenda for a tightly-argued set of small-group jazz originals. Trombonist Davis was the last musician to be hired by drummer Art Blakey, and his warm dry tone, articulate arrangements and the three-horn front line sit firmly in the Messenger’s tradition.

“J Mac’s Way”, references the late alto saxophonist Jackie McLean and there is a lovely ballad, “Rose Garden”.

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Unbelievably amazing coverage for the label and some of our latest releases Jacam Manricks, Steve Davis, and Wayne Escoffery coming to us courtesy of the Something Else! musicblog…

Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Some positively solid releases from Posi-Tone Records (2009, 2010)
by Pico

One of the newer jazz labels that’s been on a roll lately is Marc Free’s outfit, Posi-Tone Records. Started up in 1994, Posi-Tone is a rare independent label that’s done a remarkable job in balancing its roster with top shelf veterans and some of the more promising young talent, specializing in mainstream, soul and even a little bit of whack jazz. What’s more, the production quality of their releases are on par with some of the larger labels like Concord and even ECM.

Already, five P-T releases have been picked apart in this space since the beginning of the year; just click on the “Posi-Tone Records” tag to see what we’ve covered already . Lately, though, these guys have been churning out records at a faster pace than what I can keep up with, which probably wouldn’t be an issue if they were crappy records. Instead, this is an issue where both quality and quantity are both plentiful. And that’s when it’s time for a Quickies.

The three releases presented here are just a sample of what I’ve been digging from the label lately, but are representative of the level of new talent who flock to this label. If you hadn’t heard of these cats before, well, it’s time you did…

 

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Bruce Lindsay’s AAJ review of Steve Davis’ Images

By Bruce Lindsay

Trombonist/composer Steve Davis was commissioned by the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz to compose Images: The Hartford Suite, with track dedicated to a contemporary or historical Hartford figure or place. Thankfully, a detailed knowledge of Hartford, Connecticut is not a prerequisite for the enjoyment of this music; the talent and enthusiasm of the musicians accentuate this set of upbeat, positive, swinging tunes.

This is the Davis quintet’s second album, following Outlook (Posi-Tone Records, 2008). Every member of the band swings with genuine power. Davis plays his trombone with a rich and rounded tone that melds perfectly with the softer tone of Mike DiRubbo’s alto. The addition of Josh Evans on trumpet and flugelhorn on tunes such as “Kenney’s” adds depth to the overall horn sound. The rhythm section drives everything along with just enough of a push to ensure that the band sounds energetic but never hurried. Eric McPherson’s cymbal work is exceptional throughout, his freedom to create intricate and subtle patterns assisted enormously by Dezron Douglas’ strong bass lines.

Davis credits Billy Strayhorn’s influence on “Rose Garden,” a slower and more reflective tune with Davis and pianist David Bryant contributing lovely, sparse solos. The tempo may be slow, but it’s by no means sad or pessimistic; elsewhere, however, tempos are quicker and the tunes are more overtly positive. Bop influences are also direct—not unexpectedly, given that Davis has worked with Art Blakey and acknowledges the great influence of Jackie McLean, to whom he dedicates “J Mac’s Way.” On “Tune For Calhoun” it’s the influence of bebop that has the upper hand; a fast, explosive, number that gives every member of the quintet a chance to deliver effective solos. Kris Jensen adds tenor sax to “Club 880,” which creates a real bite and fullness to the horn lines on this up-tempo tribute to the Hartford jazz venue.

Images: The Hartford Suite is a beautiful work, beautifully played. Inventive but also accessible, this is a celebratory album of uplifting tunes that should find this quintet receiving deserved wider recognition.

Track listing: Nato; The Modernist; Twain’s World; J Mac’s Way; Mode for Miantonomoh; Rose Garden; Tune for Calhoun; Park Street; Kenney’s; Club 880.

Personnel: Steve Davis: trombone; Mike DiRubbo: alto saxophone; Josh Evans: trumpet, flugelhorn; David Bryant: piano; Dezron Douglas: bass; Eric McPherson: drums; Kris Jensen: tenor saxophone (10).

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Dan Bilawsky’s AAJ Review of Images

By Dan Bilawsky

Images is trombonist Steve Davis’ love letter to his hometown of West Hartford, CT. The ten pieces he wrote for the album, and which make up his “Hartford Suite,” are all dedicated to people or places associated with this geographic region. While Davis’ penchant for crisp swing and clear, lyrical lines plays a big part here, some compositional cunning—and some pieces that fall outside this general area—helps to keep things from falling into a stylistic rut.

Dedicated to bassist Nat Reeves, the mid-to-up-tempo swing of “Nato” possesses a persistent, four-note figure that drops in as the parade of soloists pass along. “The Modernist” plays off of oddly placed accents, slightly obscuring an otherwise straightforward feel, while the horns stretch out over some cymbal rolls and arco bass before the music starts to cook on “Twain’s World.” A phrase with a cycling rhythm leads into the solos here, putting Davis and trumpeter Josh Evans in the spotlight. “J Mac’s Way,” dedicated to Jackie McLean, features some of pianist David Bryant’s most absorbing solo work on the album, while the bass hook at the start of the waltzing “Mode For Miantonomoh” is an instant attention grabber. Bryant’s zeal adds a lot to this track, bit its alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo who is the standout soloist, showcasing his unique phrasing and style.

While the first half of the album has plenty to offer, the two tracks that seem to rise above the rest are on the latter half of the recording. Davis admittedly acknowledges the Billy Strayhorn influence on “Rose Garden,” a ballad that exudes all of the tender sophistication and class associated with that genius of jazz composition. While Davis and DiRubbo carefully shape their lines to fit the song’s mood, bassist Dezron Douglas provides some thick bass notes that hang, seemingly suspended in mid-air, behind them. “Park Street” has an infectiously joyous, party-like vibe, and uses a Latin groove as its rhythmic framework, set behind a 12-bar blues-like progression. All the soloists take things up a notch here, and Douglas’ solo is bursting with creative energy. While familiarity with the city of Hartford would probably yield a unique appreciation for this album, the musical images presented here can easily stand on their own.

Track listing: Nato; The Modernist; Twain’s World; J Mac’s World; Mode For Miantonomoh; Rose Garden; Tune For Calhoun; Park Street; Kenney’s; Club 880.

Personnel: Steve Davis: trombone; Mike DiRubbo: alto saxophone; David Bryant: piano; Dezron Douglas: bass; Eric McPerson: drums; Josh Evans: trumpet, flugelhorn; Kris Jensen: tenor saxophone (10).

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Audiophile Audition review for Steve Davis “Images”…

www.audaud.com

Steve Davis – Images – Posi-Tone PR8066, 56:13 ****½:
(Steve Davis, trombone; Mike DiRubbo, alto sax; David Bryant, piano; Josh Evans, trumpet & Flugelhorn; Dezron Douglas, bass; Eric McPherson, drums; Kris Jensen, tenor sax on “Club 880”)

Steve Davis graduated from the University of Hartford in 1989, where he studied under the tutelage of the master, Jackie McLean. After graduation, Davis soon hit the road with Art Blakey. He returned to Hartford in 1992, and has resided there since. On Davis’ latest Posi-Tone release Steve honors his home town on Images -The Hartford Suite. What appears to be the Hartford skyline graces the front cover of the CD. Inside, with the limited liner notes, is a mini-map of the town.

Images contains my kind of jazz – straight ahead classic hard bop, which retains its luster through repeated listening. Like a Jazz Messengers band, Davis’ group blends cohesively, with standout drummer Eric McPherson, like Blakey, driving the beat with cymbal work. Once again producer Marc Free, and engineer Nick O’Toole, have done a righteous job in getting the sound mix just perfect. There is an audiophile quality warmness that fills the soundstage with  near-SACD quality that will be appreciated on a stereo system that highlights midrange acoustics.

You will find something to like on every track, whether it be the horn blend on “Nato” before Davis takes his solo; the relaxing sweetness of “The Modernist,”; the unheralded work of David Bryant on piano and Josh Evans on trumpet and flugelhorn; or the “visits” to the neighborhoods in town described by Davis in his liner notes. Steve honors Nat Reeves on “Nato”, Jackie McLean on “J Mac’s Way”, and jazz clubs Kenney’s and Club 880.

A reviewer’s dilemma in critiquing a CD like Images is that every track pleases and it is difficult to not describe every track in an overly long review. So, I’ll just say that if you love 1960s Blue Note horn-driven hard bop (and most any true jazz LP collector fits into this category), you can’t go wrong taking in the “Images” that Steve Davis brings to the table in his paean to his home town. Now if he only had time to run for mayor. “No new taxes, and jazz on every corner…”

TrackList: Nato, The Modernist, Twain’s World, J Mac’s Way, Mode for Miantonomoh, Rose Garden, Tune for Calhoun, Park Street, Kenny’s Club 880

– Jeff Krow

 

 

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Peter Hum review for Steve Davis “Images”…

communities.canada.com

From New York trombonist Steve Davis come two CDs — the hardbopping Images…

Images is a set of crisp, well-executed originals from Davis, who turns 43 this year but who began his career nearly two decades ago as a sideman in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, that quintessential hardbop band. Just as Davis as stayed true to his stylistic preference in jazz, he’s been associated throughout his career with the the Hartt School of Music at the University of Connecticut in Hartford Hartford in Connecticut — he graduated from that school before joining Blakey, joined the school’s faculty a few years later, and Images includes compositions from Davis’ Hartford Suite.

Joining Davis are alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo, young and fleet-fingered pianist David Bryant, the gutsy bassist Dezron Douglas, drummer Eric McPherson, trumpeter Josh Evans and, on the final track, Club 880,  tenor saxophonist Kris Jensen. With his core sextet, Davis has basically assembled a special forces unit of swing, with crack players who fulfill their duties with utter clarity and efficiency. Each track is crisply conceived and utterly in-the-pocket in terms of its execution. I especially like the catchy Twain’s World, with its swirling intro, modern Messengers feel and snazzy arrangement, and the expansive, waltzing Mode for Miantonomoh. The classic-style ballad Rose Garden makes me think of Billy Strayhorn’s writing. Cumulatively, there might be a feeling that there’s either not enough soloing at length or too many tunes, But each track sounds just fine in its heat of the moment.

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John Barron’s AllAboutJazz review of Steve Davis’ Images

Allaboutjazz.com

Images – The Hartford Suite
Steve Davis | Posi-Tone Records (2010)

By John Barron

Images—The Hartford Suite pays homage to the culture and history of Hartford, Connecticut, courtesy of trombonist/composer Steve Davis, a long time resident of the city and faculty member at the University of Hartford. The ten-part suite is a sizzling set of straight-ahead jazz; stimulating, melodic and swinging. Davis, who co-leads the acclaimed ensemble One For All, and has performed as a sideman with the likes of Jackie McLean and Art Blakey, has assembled an impressive quintet for the session, with trumpeter Josh Evans adding to the mix on a handful of tracks.

Davis’ writing, firmly established in the hard-bop tradition, emphasizes singable themes with tight two and three part harmonies. Each tune offers plenty of wide-open space for solos. An adept improviser with quick-fire agility and relaxed phrasing, Davis sets the pace with winding and witty turns on up-tempo burners (“Nato,” “Tune for Calhoun”), medium swingers (“Twain’s World,” “J Mac’s Way”) and Latin-inspired grooves (“Park Street,” “Kenney’s”).

Alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo and pianist David Bryant share the spotlight throughout, with vibrant, effervescent lines, spurring each other on with intensity and camaraderie. DiRubbo does a more than adequate job channeling the spirit of the late alto sax giant McLean on “J Mac’s World.” Evans brings added warmth to the session, albeit sporadically, especially with flugelhorn in hand on the hauntingly buoyant “Mode for Miantonomoh.” Bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Eric McPherson are solid yet extremely pliable, pushing the top-end of the beat and adding creative intuitiveness.

Who knew Hartford was so hip? Left to the eyes and ears of Davis, the city comes off as one of the swinging-est places on the map. Images—The Hartford Suite is no-nonsense, small group jazz at its finest.

Track listing: Nato; The Modernist; Twain’s World; J Mac’s Way; Mode for Miantonomoh; Rose Garden; Tune for Calhoun; Park Street; Kenney’s; Club 880.

Personnel: Steve Davis: trombone; Mike DiRubbo: alto saxophone; David Bryant: piano; Dezron Douglas: bass; Eric McPherson: drums; Josh Evans: trumpet, flugelhorn; Kris Jensen: tenor saxophone (10).

Style: Straightahead/Mainstream