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Jon Davis
ianist, and composer Jon Davis has been performing and touring with many of the finest jazz musicians around the world for more than 25 years. He has appeared on over 50 recordings, and has contributed compositions on many of them. Although perhaps still most widely known for his association with the legendary bassist, Jaco Pastorius, Jon has shown a rare versatility ranging from solo, to Big Band, and everything in between.
Jon was born in N.Y., and started playing piano and guitar in his early teens. After a very brief stint with Lennie Tristano, Jon went to Boston to go to the New England Conservatory. Studies with Jaki Byard, Madam Chaloff and Ran Blake would help get him started, but he felt "on the job training" was more his calling, so after a year, he left NEC, and started gigging steadily around Boston.
Jon relocated to San Francisco in the early 80's. It was there that he would really come into his own, working regularly with the John Handy Quartet, Eddie Henderson, Johnny Coles, Buddy Montgomery, as well as jazz legends such as Joe Henderson, Milt Jackson, and Stan Getz. He was also playing in bands with future jazz greats Larry Grenadier, and Jeff Ballard, and had become a major force on the freelance scene in the Bay Area. It was there that he teamed up with drummer Brian Melvin and formed an association with Jaco that would last several years, tour Europe in the mid 80's, and produce five records.
The more "fusion" side of the music was released as "Brian Melvins Nightfood", also featuring Bob Weir (of The Grateful Dead), as well as a composition by Jon, "Did you hear that Monie", but it was the acoustic "trio date" also released under Brians name, Standards Zone, that has earned Jon international recognition and critical acclaim, both as a player and as composer of the tune "Wedding Waltz", originally released on this record. It is the only piano trio record Jaco recorded in, and has truly become a classic jazz recording. Musician magazine said of Standards Zone. "It's got the distinct air of genius".
After doing "about everything I could" out there, Jon felt it was time to move back to N.Y. Since returning in the early 90's, Jon has worked constantly in every imaginable setting. He was house pianist for the jam sessions at The Blue Note, lead a session in the early days of Smalls, as well as a five year steady engagement at Sweet Basil with tenor saxophonist Ilhan Ersahin, (founder of the NuBlu club, and scene). At this time Jon was touring Turkey frequently as part of Ilhan's quartet which led to a couple of recordings featuring Eddie Henderson, Larry Grenadier, and Brian Blade among others. He was also playing in a band led by Austrian guitarist Christian Havel, which included the late great bassist Dennis Irwin. There was frequent touring around Europe, and several recordings as well. Jon then changed settings and became the house pianist at the Four Seasons Hotel, while maintaining a busy teaching schedule at The New School (much of his teaching is done playing electric bass).
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Willie Morris: Attentive Listening
by David A. Orthmann
Attentive Listening, Willie Morris 's second Posi-Tone release in as many years, documents the continuing evolution of a jazz master in the making. Like last year's Conversation Starter, the tenor saxophonist/composer thrives in the stimulating company of alto saxophonist/alto flutist Patrick Cornelius and pianist Jon Davis. Bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston round out a rhythm section that fuels the record's impressive reach. Early on, Morris' Water Fountain Of Youth" and The Imitation Game" are up-tempo ...
read moreBlue Moods: Swing & Soul
by David A. Orthmann
Swing & Soul is the second in a series of recordings by Blue Moods, one of the projects initiated by Posi-Tone Records producer Marc Free to attract new listeners to jazz. The release showcases a collection of compositions by pianist Duke Pearson, an underrecognized figure who worked for Blue Note as an A&R man, arranger, and sideman, in addition to leading several dates that remain in high regard by many aficionados. Five of Posi-Tone's leading lights, tenor ...
read moreClaire Daly: VuVu for Frances
by Jack Bowers
Claire Daly, whose gruff yet eloquent baritone sax has brightened the New York scene for almost four decades, reunites with acclaimed tenor saxophonist George Garzone on Daly's seventh album as leader, VuVu for Frances, whose honoree is Frances Ballantyne, described by Daly as a profound influence on [her] life" and a consummate New Yorker." Daly and Garzone last recorded together in 1999, on Garzione's Moodiology (NYC), and Father Time hasn't caused either of them to lose so much as a ...
read moreWillie Morris: Conversation Starter
by David A. Orthmann
The story is old, predictable and often exasperating. A virtually unknown jazz musician distinguishes himself or herself as part of the supporting cast on a handful of recordings. And then begins the wait to see if any label will offer the young, deserving player a shot in the driver's seat. Early this year, two releases on Posi-Tone Records stimulated an appetite for more music by Willie Morris. The tenor saxophonist acquitted himself well as an ensemble player, ...
read moreClaire Daly (with George Garzone): VuVu for Frances
by Troy Dostert
Working jazz musicians have long been accustomed to the necessity of playing just about anything, in any setting, and Claire Daly is no exception. The intrepid baritone saxophonist has recorded tributes to Thelonious Monk and Rahsaan Roland Kirk and, in 2016, she even offered a distinctive take on Motown classics with 2468 West Grand Boulevard (Glass Beach Jazz). With the enviable versatility on her formidable horn which has brought her consistent acclaim, she now turns to more conventional jazz fare, ...
read moreVarious Artists: Tales Of Wonder: A Jazz Celebration Of Stevie
by Kyle Simpler
There aren't many songwriters who have reached a level of success comparable to Stevie Wonder. He is one of the most important figures in American music, and to celebrate his 70th birthday, Posi-Tone records is releasing Tales of Wonder: A Jazz Celebration of Stevie. This compilation, performed by some of the label's excellent roster of musicians, offers a fitting tribute to this legendary artist. Rather than simply offering something of a greatest hits compilation, Tales of Wonder digs into Wonder's ...
read moreJon Davis: Happy Juice
by David A. Orthmann
Whitney Balliett once wrote, good musicians do not copy their elders; they only use them as primers." These are words to keep in mind while listening to Jon Davis' Happy Juice, a ten track recital that acknowledges a number of modern jazz piano masters (Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarrett, and Red Garland) in terms of material and methods yet deftly eschews the weight of any single influence. Davis' style is at once pleasurable, mysterious, demanding, ...
read moreGlen Grant Presents: Marcus Goldhaber with The Jon Davis Trio @ Opia on June 25th & July 25th
Source:
AMP3 Public Relations
NEW YORK, NYThis summer, Singer/Songwriter Marcus Goldhaber and The Jon Davis Trio will be returning to Opia for two more shows: Monday, July 25th and Monday, August 29th, performing two sets at 7:30pm and 9:00pm, respectively. This limited event series is presented by Glen Grant scotch in partnership with Opiaa restaurant & lounge in the mezzanine of the Renaissance Hotel. There is no cover charge for the events, which will feature live jazz including both standards and new original music ...
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Glen Grant Presents: Marcus Goldhaber with The Jon Davis Trio at Opia on June 25th & July 25th
Source:
AMP3 Public Relations
NEW YORK, NYThis summer, Singer/Songwriter Marcus Goldhaber and The Jon Davis Trio will be returning to Opia for two shows: Saturday, June 25th and Monday, July 25th, performing two sets at 7:30pm and 9:00pm, respectively. This limited event series is presented by Glen Grant scotch in partnership with Opiaa restaurant & lounge in the mezzanine of the Renaissance Hotel. There is no cover charge for the events, which will feature live jazz including both standards and new original music by ...
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Marcus Goldhaber with The Jon Davis Trio @ Opia on May 30th
Source:
AMP3 Public Relations
NEW YORK, NYOn Memorial Day, May 30th, Singer/Songwriter Marcus Goldhaber and The Jon Davis Trio will be performing two sets at 7:30pm and 9:00pm presented by Glen Grant Scotch at Opiaa restaurant & lounge in the mezzanine of the Renaissance Hotel. This is a follow-up to the successful launch event with Opia & Glen Grant on April 11th, and is expected to become an ongoing event in the months to come. There is no cover charge and it will feature ...
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GlenGrant Presents: Marcus Goldhaber with The Jon Davis Trio at Opia Monday, April 11th: 7:30pm and 9pm
Source:
AMP3 Public Relations
NEW YORK, NYOn Monday, April 11th, Singer/Songwriter Marcus Goldhaber and The Jon Davis Trio will be performing two sets at 7:30pm and 9:00pm presented by GlenGrant Scotch at Opiaa restaurant & lounge in the mezzanine of the Renaissance Hotel. The event is free of charge and will feature live jazz including both standards and original music by Marcus Goldhaber, as well as complimentary scotch tastings courtesy of GlenGrant throughout the evening. At the show, Marcus will be joined by The ...
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Marcus Goldhaber & the Jon Davis Trio Return to the Kitano Wednesday, July 29th: 8PM and 10PM
Source:
AMP3 Public Relations
NEW YORK, NY – On Wednesday, July 29th, 2009, Singer/Songwriter Marcus Goldhaber will return to The Kitano, following up his sold out performance at the coveted jazz venue back in 2008, with two sets: 8pm and 10pm (no cover). This engagement comes on the heels of an amazing response to Marcus’ second album, “Take Me Anywhere,” which has since earned glowing reviews in All About Jazz, Jazz Improv, Jazz Times, Jazz Weekly, eJazzNews, Jazziz, and a 4 out of 4 ...
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"NIGHTtime" with Marcus Goldhaber & the Jon Davis Trio at the Night Hotel - Every Thursday: 6PM & 7:45PM
Source:
AMP3 Public Relations
NEW YORK, NY – On April 30th, 2009, Singer/Songwriter Marcus Goldhaber will open “NIGHTtime” for a limited engagement at The Night Hotel. Performances will be every Thursday through July 2nd, 2009, with sets at 6pm & 7:45pm. This boutique hotel is an exercise of Modern Gothic Gotham, filled with black and white dcor and nestled secretly behind the mayhem of midtown’s Times Square, making this an ideal place to serve as the after-work ‘go to’ locale on Thursday evenings. Night ...
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