Review

Nathaniel Cleophas "Shorty" Davis
Master Trombone: Another Characteristic Trombone Smear 1919

Arranged by Aaron Hettinga

Trombone and piano

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 1919 / 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and solo part.

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Nathaniel Davis was born in Tennessee in 1888. He taught for a time at Fisk University, and around 1913 he founded his own school. In 1917, he was enlisted in a ‘Black Infantry Regiment’ (commanded by white officers), giving his occupation as ‘self-employed band organizer and school teacher.’ His regiment suffered heavy casualties in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in North-Eastern France during September - November 1918. He was demobilised in February 1919 and resumed his musical career, conducting several bands and writing and publishing a number of trombone features. He died in Atlanta, Georgia in 1972.

Davis wrote this piece for his own band; it was published in 1919. The term ‘Master’ used here refers to a young boy, and the music is lively and energetic. The arrangement is in F, trio section in B-flat, and is suitable for moderately advanced level performers. The trombone part is given in bass clef, range c–f¹. The total number of notes in the part is 693, including 54 groups of triplet 16ths, calling for fluent technique; there are no rest measures. The piece is marked tempo di rag and the playing time given above is based on the ‘standard ragtime tempo’ of 100 beats per minute.

Aaron Hettinga is a trombonist and arranger based in Western Michigan. Arrangements of other pieces by this composer are available on his website.