| Jazz |
As you probably know, I have a strong dislike for cover albums. However, from time to time, a small miracle happens, as is the case here with trombonist Steve Davis, who manages to achieve the feat of both preserving the tradition of the originals while bringing his own vision. Right from the first tracks, we are captivated by a stunning and elevated version of “Milestones” by Miles Davis. We have heard so many versions of this piece, often poorly reinterpreted, that it is essential to point out just how special this one is.
Trombonist Steve Davis was still a teenager when he first shared the stage with trumpet master Eddie Henderson. While studying under Jackie McLean at the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, he frequented the 880 Club, which regularly hosted renowned New York musicians on Thursday nights. At the suggestion of resident pianist Don DePalma, Davis took the stage with Dr. Henderson, who tested the young trombonist by playing “There Is No Greater Love” before inviting him to stay and lead the group through Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage” and “Dolphin Dance.” At the end of the set, Henderson encouraged Davis, telling him, “Man, one day you’re going to be a star.”
To understand the genius of this musician, you need to look back at his past and his collaborations: Freddie Hubbard, Chick Corea, Horace Silver, Cedar Walton, and Hank Jones. He briefly joined the formidable ranks of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and later co-founded the all-star sextet One For All. JazzTimes called him “a modern synthesis of J.J. Johnson and Slide Hampton,” praising his “inventive ear for harmony and passion for melody,” while Freddie Hubbard, no less than an icon, hailed him as “one of the greatest trombonists in the world.”
It’s all this experience and Steve Davis’ broad artistic vision that make this album truly unique. We can credit him for the careful selection of tracks that form a cohesive whole for the album, as well as the arrangements, the external perspective of producer Paul Stache, and a dream sextet featuring EDDIE HENDERSON on trumpet, RALPH MOORE on tenor saxophone, STEVE DAVIS on trombone, RENEE ROSNES on piano, ESSIET ESSIET on bass, and LEWIS NASH on drums, delivering a delightful listening experience from start to finish.
With a kind of poetry and elegance that only great musicians possess, **We See**—the title track, a Monk composition—continues Davis’ tradition of forming unmatched three-horn frontlines for his releases on Smoke Sessions. “Having three voices up front is always a pleasure and a source of inspiration,” he says. “Not only for the harmonic and textural possibilities but also for the inspiration drawn from the incredible soloists who follow one another and overlap. It’s amazing to hear the creativity that each member brings.” This search for aesthetics inspired by the late master pushes the tradition beyond its limits, making it impossible not to appreciate such an exercise, especially as the album is accessible to all jazz lovers.
Steve Davis adds, “We had very few charts on stage, which allowed us to maintain a very natural and spontaneous feeling,” he says enthusiastically. “But within that framework, some really beautiful ensemble playing emerged, as well as a lot of free, swinging, and intense playing. The idea was to take all this experience, this friendship, and this maturity, and just play jazz.”
Extending Monk’s track title as the name of what will hopefully be a recurring band is a smart choice by Davis. Its conciseness recalls the two-word poem, “Me/We,” made famous by Muhammad Ali. By adding just one more letter, **We See** captures the multiple qualities of the sextet: its collective and communal spirit, as well as its forward-looking approach and the visionary talents of each member. “We’ve seen a lot, both collectively and individually,” Davis says. “We continue to see and seek even more today. It’s so rewarding to be at the heart of all this musicality and creativity.”
Steve Davis’ words not only help us understand his approach but also offer insight into his world. This album, labeled “Indispensable,” takes us far from the era when these tracks were originally conceived, as Davis and his musicians have created one of the most modern and interesting versions possible.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, October 8th 2024
Follow PARIS-MOVE on X
::::::::::::::::::::::