Jazz / Post-Bop; Hard Bop
Recorded December 9, 1997 in New York City, NY, USA
Steve Davis Sextet
Steve Davis - trombone
Mike Dirubbo - alto saxophone
Eric Alexander - tenor saxophone
Harold Mabern - piano
Nat Reeves - bass
Joe Farnsworth - drums
Davis is one of the breed of young boppers whom have mastered the idiom. Here, the trombonist leads a group mostly culled from "One for All," a conglomeration of extraordinary musicians who perform regularly together in the Big Apple. Veteran pianist Harold Mabern joins them, adding experience and depth. Davis plays a mean 'bone, strongly indebted to Curtis Fuller. Like Fuller, he sticks to the middle range of the horn, boasts a somewhat nasal tone, and plays smoothly at almost any tempo. He is also a good, if cautious, composer. Tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander continues to grow both in stature and skill, and contributes solidly with strong solos. While there is nothing revolutionary or new in the group's playing, there is a strong sense of camaraderie and precision that lifts this performance to a higher level.
-- Steve Loewy, allmusic |
