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N. Glenn Davis

N. Glenn Davis is a recording artist, drummer,composer, and educator. Davis's debut CD, The N Glenn Davis Quartet A Different View was released by the Jazzed Media label in 2007 and features ten of his compositions. Davis's 2009 release on Jazzed Media, The N. Glenn Davis Quintet Come Right In, features the legendary Phil Woods on alto sax, Mark Soskin on piano, Dean Johnson on bass, Jack Schantz on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Dave Sterner on alto and soprano saxophones.The quintet performs eight Davis compositions and two jazz classics. Glenn's latest release What Could Be is a piano trio featuring Mark Soskin, Peter Dominguez and Glenn Davis titled, "What Could Be", on the Speak Jazz label.

Davis grew up in the Cleveland area studying drums with Bob McKee. Among his early influences were fellow Cleveland drummers Skip Hadden, Val Kent, and Jamey Haddad. He attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1979. In addition to drums, his studies included arranging, harmony, and percussion studies with Gary Chaffee, Joe Hunt, and Dean Anderson. A highlight of Davis's education was studying with master drummer Alan Dawson who had a strong influence on his musical style. Davis lived and played music in Boston for eleven years cutting his teeth on the vibrant Boston jazz scene of the 70s. Davis performed around the city regularly with notable musicians, Mike Stern, Jeff Richman, Grey Sargent, Tiger Okoshi, Santi Debriano, John Lockwood, Neil Stubanhaus, Cathy Segal, Bill Molenhoff and John Licata among others.

Spending a few years in NYC, Davis had a long term engagement with Rino Minetti, freelanced extensively, and performed with The Benny Salzano Quintet. As a writer, he has had his solo transcriptions of Max Roach and Philly Joe Jones published in The Modern Drummer magazine.

Since returning to the Cleveland area in the late 80s, Davis has kept busy playing on the local scene, teaching music, and raising a family. Davis currently leads his own jazz quartet and quintet. He also freelances with several other groups, including The Joe Hunter Trio, John Morton, and The Dave Sterner Quintet.

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568
Album Review

N. Glenn Davis: Come Right In

Read "Come Right In" reviewed by John Patten


The N. Glenn Davis Quartet resurrects the sound of classic bebop on Come Right In, presenting a set of 10 tunes arranged by Davis, three enhanced by saxophone giant Phil Woods.

Woods plays magnificently on two Davis originals--the opening “A Different Day" and “Just a Tadd," as well as “If You Could See Me Now." Never at a loss for the right phrase or variation, his playing flows through several choruses on each tune. Woods may ...

260
Album Review

N. Glenn Davis Quartet: A Different View

Read "A Different View" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Some drummers have a tendency, whether deliberate or involuntary, when leading an ensemble to turn the spotlight on themselves. Not Glenn Davis, who lets his splendid compositional skills and purposeful timekeeping speak for themselves on A Different View, on which he leads a crew of fellow Clevelanders in an enticing session of buoyant post-bop Jazz.

Pianist Larry Porter, a longtime friend who now makes his home in Germany, is a clever soloist and perceptive accompanist, splendidly complementing front-liner Dave Sterner ...

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Recording

"What Could Be"- The New Release for the N. Glenn Davis Trio Featuring Mark Soskin and Peter Dominguez

"What Could Be"- The New Release for the N. Glenn Davis Trio Featuring Mark Soskin and Peter Dominguez

Source: Michael Ricci

Drummer and composer N. Glenn Davis leads this swinging trio of talented veteran jazz musicians for his third release as a leader. This recording continues the classic tradition of the piano trio performing creative music that will appeal to listeners on many levels. Featured here are three new original compositions by N. Glenn Davis and three compositions by stellar NYC pianist Mark Soskin (14 years with Sonny Rollins). Also featured on the CD are three classics tunes, “The Dolphin" by ...

"Glenn Davis lets his splendid compositional skills and purposeful timekeeping speak for themselves on A Different View... A sharp and synchronous quartet that makes listening a pleasure." --Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

"Glenn has not taken the easy path in just recording jazz classics, as on this Cd he wrote all but one if the compositions. What sets aside Davis' maiden effort is a maturity by it's leader in combining lyrical playing with classy arrangements." --Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition

"The N. Glenn Davis Quartet... A wonderful jazz CD, well recorded with exceptional playing." --classicdrummer.com

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Primary Instrument

Drums

Credentials/Background

Bachelor of Music Berklee College of Music and Masters of Music Education University of Akron. Recording artist, composer, drummer, and educator. Available for master classes, clinics and private instruction.

Clinic/Workshop Information

N. Glenn Davis holds a Bachelor of Music from The Berklee College of Music and a Masters of Music Education from The University of Akron. Glenn is a versitle drummer, recording artist, composer , and educator with a willingness to share his experience and knowledge with students of all levels

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Photos

Concerts

Apr 14 Sun

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

What Could Be

Speak Jazz Records
2011

buy

Come Right In

Jazzed Media
2010

buy

A Different View

Jazzed Media
2007

buy

Videos

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