Steve Davis anyone?

[elpatricio]

Hey cats, wondering if anyone has come across a great jazz player called Steve Davis?

I've had the chance to study with him on two london jazz summer schools run by Jamey Aebersold, who he is a long-time collaborator and friend of.

Anyway Steve is one the nicest guys you'll ever meet and one of the best Jazz drummer's I've ever seen who has such a high grasp and musicality and the nuances of jazz it scares me. Although he is generally quite an understated player he has incredible chops as well. His heels down bass drum technique is amazing and allows him to pull of lighting fast doubles and single stroke rolls between his hands and feet at vinnie-esque speeds (of who he also a great friend of). His co-ordination and independance is bewildering and during the masterclasses he showed us about a million ways to play the books syncopation and stick control using 4-way ostinatos in jazz and latin styles.

So anyway, you get the picture. I'm just wondering if any of you guys have come across him or seen him play? He has a website at www.stevedavisdrums.com and plays and tours with the lynne arriale trio - thats his main gig now. There's very little info on him but from what I understand he's originaly from california and moved to NY in the 70s and was a a really big player in the NY scene during the 80's. Now he's based in Tampa but he tours round the world for about 8 months of the year with Lynne Arriale or with Jamey Aebersold's workshops sometimes sharing the drumming duties with Adam Naussbaum.

So if you get the chance, check this guy out!

[ed4644]

Yeh man, Steve Davis is a monster jazz drummer. I worked with him as well through the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshops in Louisville, KY. I remember his masterclass about Syncopation and such. Great player-great guy.

BTW-John Riley also does the workshops and cats like Steve Barnes(his wife did a TV commercial for Chiles baby back ribs), and Tom Taylor. All great musicians.

[LDGuy]

Yeah, he's very cool. I did the JA course in London twice and soaked in about as much as i could. He's a wicked player - very tasty. I didn't go this year. Shame, we could have met up.

I've been trying to get my hands on some Lynne Arriale stuff for ages, really would like to find some decent recordings/live bootlegs.

[elpatricio]

Laurence man is that you from 2004? I recognise your face from your avatar now - I remember you your fusion playing was burning. You might remember me, I was the left handed guy - Patrick [img]biggrin.gif[/img] I think I had breakfast with you in quins a couple of times. Hope all is well, peace.

EDIT: if you want a good lynne arialle trio record with steve on it check out 'A Long Road Home', it features patitucci on bass and has a great cut of Night in Tunisia on it.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ September 19, 2005 04:38 PM: Message edited by: elpatricio ]</font>

[LDGuy]

Oh cool. Hey dude.

Hmm. Yes. I've improved a lot since then lol. Ahem.

You should post some stuff - i can do keyboards a lot nowdays, and if you've got recording we should get something together.

Peace.

[Dazzler]

Steve cam to the Guildhall School Of Music in London when I studied there and did a mastercall. He had a ride, snare and hats, nothing else. His touch was beautiful and so musical, he oozed taste!

I'd forgotten about him to be honest, so thanks for the reminder. [img]smile.gif[/img]