|
|
Steve Davis is widely regarded as one of today's leading improvisors on the trombone.
Born in Worcester, MA in 1967, Steve was raised in Binghamton, NY, and
graduated in 1989 from The Hartt School's Jackie McLean Institute (University of
Hartford, CT). It was McLean's guidance and recommendation that helped Davis
land his first major gig with Art Blakey in NYC in December 1989. Steve returned
to Hartford in 1992 to join McLean's sextet and begin teaching alongside his mentor
at both the Hartt School and Artist's Collective. Davis has resided in Hartford
ever since.
Davis’ latest record as a leader, his 17th, is titled For Real (2014, Posi-Tone), and
features legendary Larry Willis on piano, veterans Nat Reeves on bass and Abraham
Burton on tenor sax, and Billy Williams on drums. This record includes all original
compositions. Davis has three previous releases with Posi-Tone - Outlook (2008),
Images (2010), and Gettin’ It Done (2012).
Ever in-demand as a sideman, Davis is featured on over 100 recordings, and is a
member of the supergroup One For All (16 records to date). In recent years,
"Stevie-D" (a nickname given to him by the late Jackie McLean) has worked regularly
with a broad range of jazz icons including the legends Benny Golson and
Hank Jones, Larry Willis, Slide Hampton and The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Star
Big Band (feat. James Moody, Jimmy Heath and Roy Hargrove), The Jimmy Heath
Big Band, Cecil Payne, and Wynton Marsalis' Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Steve also continues his long-time affiliation with the Artist’s Collective (founded by
Jackie and Dollie McLean) in Hartford, CT. Davis continues to lead an active
teaching career at the Hartt School's Jackie McLean Institute (University of Hartford),
where he has been on faculty since 1991.
|
