Review


Brian Scarborough
Gettin' It Done:: Steve Davis' Improvised Trombone Solos
Trombone

Fayetteville, AR, United States
Publisher: Institute for Creative Music Press
Date of Publication: 2021
URL: http://www.ifcmusic.org/press

Digital and print format book of transcribed, improvised solos. 25 pages.

Primary Genre: Jazz Material - etude

During the summer of 1978 I returned to NYC to play in the Goldman Band, after the conclusion of The Oklahoma Symphony season, and took a few jazz lessons from a studio great. We talked about trombone jazz artists—he mentioned he was attracted to those who did not “just fill up space” with passages of blazing technique, but with players who said something—who told a story—who chose their notes carefully. Steve Davis has blazing technique, but tells a carefully crafted story every time he plays. When I watched Steve’s Master Class at Berklee on October 21, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxF10_YSaRY, I not only heard an amazing trombonist and artist, but met an extremely warm, modest man and generous educator who sounded like he lives…

If you are new to Steve’s playing, it is essential to be aware that Conrad Herwig invited Steve Davis to record two albums on Criss Cross Jazz: Osteology (1176) and A Jones For Bones Tones (1297). In a wonderful companion to this collection of solos, Andrew T. Hamilton writes in his dissertation, A Comparison of the Improvisational Styles of Trombonists Conrad Herwig and Steve Davis (University of Miami, 2015), that Conrad Herwig selected Steve Davis “because I admire his playing so much…you’ve got to be on top of your game if you are going to be with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He’s a really creative guy, and he’s a great trombonist…he just has a very eloquent way of playing…and, I’ve always admired the fact that he plays the changes so well.” (p.54).

Trombonist Brian Scarborough has done us all a favor by transcribing these wonderful solos from Steve's 2014 album, Gettin' It Done. As a longtime fan of Steve Davis, Brian noticed something extraordinary about this album and decided to transcribe it. He contacted Steve Davis and came up with a real gem. Steve agreed to support this project and even gave him the original lead sheets from the recording session allowing Brian to present the compositions and chord changes exactly as the band saw them.

Presentation of the solos is first rate. The size of the music makes it easy to play or read along with the performances; annotations tell the listener exactly where to find Steve’s solos within each selection. In Steve’s forward we read why the band plays so well together: it is a collection of old friends who have played together for decades, as well including two “young bloods.” Playing is superb throughout! This is an impressive and enjoyable album transcription for all jazz enthusiasts, not just trombonists.

   


Reviewer: Allan Kaplan
Review Published June 24, 2023