Review

Nathaniel Cleophas Davis
Mr. Trombonology: A Characteristic Trombone Smear (1917) The Son of “Oh Slip It Man”

Arranged by Joshua Hauser

brass quintet 2 B-flat trumpets, F horn, trombone, tuba

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts.

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 5 brass

Nathaniel Cleophas Davis was born in Tennessee in 1888. He was a trombonist, teacher and composer. Douglas Yeo has written an extensive biography, which is included in the score. In June 1917, Davis was enlisted in a ‘Black Infantry Regiment’ (commanded by white officers), giving his occupation as ‘self-employed band organizer and school teacher.’ He had in fact taught for a time at Fisk University and had founded his own school around 1913. During September - November 1918 his regiment suffered heavy casualties in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in North-Eastern France. He was demobilised in February 1919 and resumed his musical career, conducting several bands and writing and publishing a number of other trombone features. He died in Atlanta, Georgia in 1972.

This arrangement is in F major; the trio section is in B-flat. It is comprised of 78 measures and has four discrete sections, each separately repeated. The trombone part is given in bass clef; its overall range is c-f¹. It abounds in glissandi, which are present in 30 out of the total 88 measures; appropriate slide positions are indicated for all of them. Trumpets are in B-flat, topping out at f² and d² (concert).

This composer should not be confused with Nathaniel Davis Ayer (1887-1952), who is best known for his ‘hit’ song of 1916, ‘If you were the only girl in the world.’

Joshua Hauser is Professor of Trombone at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. He has arranged quite extensively for trombone.