Rick Davies

Artist Information

Biography

**Rick Davies and Jazzismo (jazz-eez-mo)**

Jazzismo is a Latin jazz group led by trombonist/composer Rick Davies and has existed in its current incarnation since March of 2002. Started by Davies in New York City in the late 1990s, the original group included such Latin music stalwarts as pianist Arturo O’Farrill and bassist Harvie Swartz. When Davies relocated to the Burlington/Plattsburgh area to assume a faculty position at Plattsburgh State University of New York, he reorganized the group using some of the finest musicians in Vermont, Montreal, and Northern New York State.

Currently the group consists of Rick Davies on trombone, Alex Stewart on saxophone, Tom Cleary on piano, John Rivers on bass, Jeff Salisbury on drums, and Steve Ferraris on Latin percussion duties.

Jazzismo performs both original compositions and Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz standards. Much of the material comes from Jazzismo’s first album "Salsa Strut" that was released in 2001 and their latest CD "Siempre Salsa", which was released in 2006.

Since starting up in the Burlington/Plattsburgh area, Jazzismo has played a number of venues including two appearances at the Plattsburgh State University Jazz Festival and numerous appearances at clubs such as Red Square in Burlington and McDonough’s in Plattsburgh. It has also accompanied various well-know musicians including Harvie S and Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros.

The group opened for violinist and Fania All-Star violinist Alfredo De La Fe and his orchestra at The Flynn Center during the 2003 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. They also played at Red Square during the Festival, which featured an appearance by trombonist Ray Anderson.

In July for the fourth year in a row, they will be artists-in-residence at the FlynnArts Summer Latin jazz camp sponsored by the Flynn Center and perform a concert in the Flynn Space featuring the internationally known Latin jazz trumpeter Ray Vega as guest artist.


**Rick Davies**

Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Rick Davies moved to New York City in the late 1970s and worked there a musician for more than twenty years before joining the faculty at SUNY Plattsburgh in 2000. Davies has primarily focused his creative efforts in the areas of salsa, Latin jazz, and Afro-Caribbean music.

On the salsa, Afro-Caribbean, and Latin jazz scenes, he has performed with many artists and groups (Tito Puente, Johnny Colon, Charlie Palmieri, Marc Anthony, Skah Shah, Ti Manno, Tabou Combo, Arrow, Rey Reyes, Johnny Ray, Manny Oquendo’s Libre, etc.) and recorded on over one hundred albums. For over a decade, he was the musical director of Wayne Gorbea’s Salsa Picante, performing, composing and arranging works for the group’s popular recordings. A long association with Jackie Byard and his Apollo Stompers is one highlight of Davies’ mainstream jazz credits. He is featured on Byard’s Phantasies II recording.

Davies remains very active as a performer. He has recorded with the rock group Blondie as well as with Michael Jackson and Wyclef Jean. Davies also did live appearances with Wyclef for President and Mrs. Clinton and at the Giants stadium Netaid concert. He also filmed a VH1 Storytellers episode with Wyclef and the Refugee All-Stars. Davies has traveled extensively with the Big Apple Circus, and appears regularly with Salsa Picante in New York City and around the world. Davies is the leader of the Burlington, VT based Latin jazz band Jazzismo and recently released (2006) his second album of original compositions called Siempre Salsa.

As a scholar, Davies has written several monographs, chapters, and articles primarily about Afro-Cuban music and salsa. His book, Trompeta: Chappottín, Chocolate, and Afro-Cuban Trumpet Style, was released in May 2003 by Scarecrow Press. He contributed a chapter on Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros to Music From Cuba (Praeger Press, 2001). Other articles he has written include “The Cuban Sonero: Beny Moré and Miguelito Cuní,” “Miguelito Valdés, the First Salsa Superstar,” “The Latin Jazz Continuum,” and “Americanizing The Eurocentric Music Curriculum”.

Davies received a Ph.D. from New York University in 1999 (his dissertation was on Cuban brass performance). He is currently an Associate Professor of Music at Plattsburgh State University of New York (SUNY).


**other members of Jazzismo**

Alexander Stewart has been active as a saxophonist and woodwind player in New York City for over twenty years. He has toured Europe and North America with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra (accompanying guest artists such as Dizzy Gillespie and Dee Dee Bridgewater) and has appeared at major jazz festivals in Nice, Montreal, Biarritz, Saratoga, New York (JVC) and the North Sea. He has performed on recordings by Bill Warfield, Dave Stryker, Anne Hampton Callaway and Peter Herborn that have featured Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Wynton Marsalis and many other renowned jazz musicians. He has also appeared on network television (Bravo, BBC, BET, Fox, etc.) with Manhattan Transfer, Nnenna Freelon and Lionel Hampton. In June 1999, along with members of the Funk Filharmonik, he accompanied Ray Charles in Sweden. Before joining UVM's music department in 1999, Dr. Stewart served as Director of Jazz Studies at Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus. He earned a Master of Music from Manhattan School of Music and received a Ph.D. in music with a concentration in ethnomusicology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. The subject of his dissertation is composition and performance in contemporary New York City big bands. He has also performed and written about Latin, popular and "world" music genres. His articles and entries appear in Popular Music, Yearbook of Traditional Music, Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World ,and Annual Review of Jazz Studies(forthcoming).

Tom Cleary has studied jazz piano with Charles Eller, jazz improvisation with Yusef Lateef at Hampshire College and Archie Shepp at the University of Massachusetts, and classical piano with Elizabeth Metcalfe and Sylvia Parker at the University of Vermont (where he took first place in the 1996 Concerto Competition). As a performer he has been a finalist in competitive auditions for the 1998 Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassadors program (in a duo with saxophonist Nathan Childers). Locally he has performed and recorded with guitarist George Petit (on Patachou) , bassist Ellen Powell (on the Discover Jazz 1998 compilation CD) and singer Jenni Johnson (on her CD Takes One and Two). As an educator he has taught music at schools in Massachusetts and Vermont at levels ranging from elementary to to college. He was Piano Instructor and Jazz Program Coordinator at Appel Farm Music and arts Center in Elmer, NJ for three summers; most recently he was an instructor for "Summertime Jazz," a program of the Flynn Theatre summer education series.

John Rivers is an active free-lance bassist in the region and is closely connected to local professionals in music and music education. Rivers is currently teaching bass at Johnson State College as well as running a private studio through Advance Music in Burlington, VT. John Rivers is the bassist in the sextet Garuda featuring James Harvey. He also performs regularly with Jazzismo, the Juliet McVicker Trio, and the James Harvey Trio. Rivers has shared the stage and toured in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean with various artists including Arturo Sandoval, Othello Molineux, Karl Berger, Leon Pensyl, Phillip Hamilton, and others. John Rivers is a well prepared and versatile musician who values great music of many styles and cultures.

Jeff Salisbury teaches drumset at Johnson State College and the University of Vermont and is president of the Vermont chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. He serves as an artistic advisor forthe Discover Jazz festival. Mr. Salisbury played for the Albert King Blues Band and Cold Blood in the late 1960s. He has performed with Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley and many other artists in R & B and jazz. He currently performs with James Harvey, Pure Pressure and the Sklar/Grippo sextet. He has studied with George Marsh, Bob Moses and Pete Magadini and is a Drum Workshop drumset artist. Jeff has appeared in Modern Drummer and Downbeat magazines. His articles have been published in Percussive Notes, Percussion News, and Drum Instructors Only.

Steve Ferraris is a percussionist that is comfortable performing in a variety of musical situations. He has appeared with big bands, jazz combos, trios and as a solo percussion performer playing congas, timbales bongos and African djembe. His passionate playing and versatility allows him to blend his sound with many musical styles. He has toured the US and Europe as a sideman and with his own Rootsystem Drummers. Steve has performance credits that include jazz notables such as Charlie Haden, Sun Ra, Michael Ray, George Garzone, Joseph Bowie and James Spaulding. Recently Steve has been seen regularly in the rhythm sections of Burlington’s two Salsa and Latin Jazz outfits, Grupo Sabor and Jazzismo. Steve is also very active as a teacher of percussive arts. He has presented percussion clinics at the Urbino Jazz Festival Music School in Italy, the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College, The University of Vermont Summer Clinic for music teachers as well as being a frequent artist in residence at schools throughout New England.

Instrumentation

Rick Davies - trombone
Papo Ross - Vocals
Alex Stewart - tenor sax
Tom Cleary - piano
John Rivers - bass
Jeff Salisbury - drums
Steve Ferraris - congas

Discography

* Rick Davies, Salsa Strut - featuring Arturo O'Farrill, Harvie S, Sam Furnace, Vince Cherico, and Juan Rodriguez - MSR Records

*Rick Davies, Siempre Salsa - Emlyn Music

Links

• Rick Davies and Jazzismo

Audio

• Rumba Norteña
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• Rosa Primavera
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• Salsa Strut
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• Habana Nocturna
  Listen  

Video

Rosa Primavera in Oaxaca, Mexico

Photo Gallery

Press

• Rick Davies - Siempre Salsa [+ Show ]
  

  (Emlyn Music, CD) Plattsburgh trombonist Rick Davies knows from salsa. I, on the other hand, do n...(Emlyn Music, CD)
  
  Plattsburgh trombonist Rick Davies knows from salsa. I, on the other hand, do not. Is that a hindrance to my enjoyment of his latest disc, Siempre Salsa? Hardly.
  
  Davies is a music professor at SUNY Plattsburgh. He previously lived in the Big Apple, where he worked with a plethora of Latin jazz heavyweights, including the late Tito Puente. Since relocating, Davies has led Jazzismo, whose members comprise most of the players on this CD.
  
  Amazingly, all of the cuts on Siempre Salsa are Davies originals. Judging from the quality of each composition, they might as well be standards.
  
  Opener "Cena Para Seis" features sinewy horn lines bolstered by percussionist Steve Ferraris' exotic rhythms. Special guest Dave Grippo takes a spicy alto sax solo before Davies takes over for a blow of his own. The spotlight subsequently shifts to pianist Tom Cleary, who offers a typically elegant keyboard run.
  
  "Rosa Primavera" finds salsa hero Wayne Gorbea on the ivories. Vocalist Frank Otero sings a bunch of stuff I can't understand, but it sounds fantastic. Gorbea's piano solo is gorgeously minimal, Luis Cruz's bongo work riveting.
  
  On "Insomnia," the sax section is expanded to include Brian McNamara, Aaron Garovoy, Alex Stewart and Rick Tutunjian. Their formation horn flights give the tune some serious punch. Trumpeter Tomer Levy delivers a tasty solo, as the band swells and recedes behind him.
  
  "Rumba Nortena"'s melody is the musical equivalent of a tongue twister. Davies' daring trombone leaps made me question my assumptions about the instrument. Stewart's no slouch, either, with sultry sax tones and impeccable phrasing.
  
  Levy's trumpet hits the stratosphere on "Santos," a song that's the very definition of picante. Here, Davies is joined by a second trombonist, Rafi Malkiel. The extra brass makes for even more spice.
  
  "Calle Loca" flickers with the intensity of a blue flame. Grippo again pops by for a twisting sax solo that had me wondering when he finds time to breathe.
  
  The album closes with "Caliente Time," a track built on staggered piano vamps and congas. Drummer Jeff Salisbury serves up smart cymbal work, as Stewart's sax conjures images of open-air markets and flickering neon.
  
  Davies' passion for Latin jazz is absolutely contagious. Catch the bug on Thursday, July 27, when he appears at the FlynnSpace with Jazzismo and Ray Vega.
  
  CASEY REA
  
  

• Rick Davies and Jazzismo [+ Show ]
  

  Because of its melting-pot culture and the wealth of musicians there, New York City may have the bes...Because of its melting-pot culture and the wealth of musicians there, New York City may have the best Latin jazz in America. Take this lineup, for example: Sam Furnace plays in the Brooklyn Sax Quartet, pianist Arturo O'Farrill was the musical director of his father's big band, and Harvie Swartz and Vince Cherico have played rhythm on several Latin albums. Their leader is Rick Davies, with his buttery-sounding trombone; he barrels down low on "Tuno", while Furnace adds a crisp alto. Avoiding Barry Rogers-type smears, Rick's tone is pretty clean, a little like Chris Washburne's.
  
  "Palladium Mozambique" honors the city's great Latin ballroom; cowbells lead the way to a mighty horn riff. Arturo starts with a dainty touch, slowly venturing into chords during Swartz' rubbery solo. Furnace is a little strident, but Davies makes up for it; his turn has rasp and quiet power. After that fury, you need a slow cha-cha: that is "Suave", which it is. The horns form close harmonies around O'Farrill's lush comp; Sam gets intense, and the heat builds around him. Arturo is sleek, Rick is dignified - and you could dance all night.
  
  "Piedra" is a tricky waltz: the horns go spinning as O'Farrill bangs out rhythm. The theme turns sour, and a little mysterious; hear Arturo sneak about on his solo. Davies then barks a little, and Furnace's force is put to good use. "Lady K" is slow and graceful - Rick takes charge on this bolero, ascending with flair. His solo doesn't deviate much from the theme, but it doesn't need to. While the montuno races on "Minor Byrd", the horns work through a melodic maze. Rick's solo turns at sharp angles; hear how nicely Arturo blends in. Sam's turn is simpler, with a lovely honk; Harvie bounces a good effort, and then it rolls to a close. Rick Davies sure belongs in this company, as surely as this disc belongs in your collection.
  
  
  

• Salsa Stut [+ Show ]
  

  Rick Davies & Jazzismo Latin Jazz with an attitude Rick Davies & Jazzismo From the Big Apple, N...Rick Davies & Jazzismo
  
  Latin Jazz with an attitude
  Rick Davies & Jazzismo
  From the Big Apple, New York City comes this exciting recording from Trombonist Rick Davies and his Latin Jazz Sextet Jazzismo. Leader, Rick Davies received his Ph.D from New York University with his dissertation on Cuban Brass Performance. He has been the Musical Director for the Wayne Gorbea Salsa Picante unit and this has helped in his approach to playing Latin Jazz. His line of attack is to play with a swing that is not only harmonic but also danceable. Rick has gained his knowledge of the Latin scene by performing with heavies like Tito Puente, Johnny Colon, Charlie Palmieri, Marc Anthony, Manny Oquendo's Libre, Rey Reyes, Johnny Ray and Wayne Gorbea. He has recorded on over one hundred albums and is slated to release a book on the Afro-Cuban and Salsa brass tradition, which will be available in 2002. If that isn't enough he has also performed with the likes of Michael Jackson, Blondie and Wyclef Jean.
  Salsa Strut features a seasoned crew of musicians. Sam Furnace is heard on alto sax. His fiery sound can be found in many recordings of the great Mongo Santamaria and Chico O'Farrill. Vince Cherico is the group's drummer whose heavy-duty work has also been featred with the Ray Barretto's New World Spirit band and the Bronx Horns. Bassist Harvie Swartz has recorded with many different Latin Jazz and Jazz artists. His fabulous work with Ray Barretto, Ray Vega, Chris Washburne, Bronx Horns and his own group Eye Contact have given him much deserved recognition and critical acclaim. Juan Rodriguez is the group's conguero and has a clean crisp sound. He has worked with Bobby Sanabria and Wayne Gorbea. Featured on piano is Arturo O'Farrill. He not only was the musical director for the Big Band led by his father none other than the great Chico O'Farrill, but, has recorded on his own and with many top acts in the Latin Jazz world.
  The music selected by Rick Davies and Jazzismo for Salsa Strut is all-original and has a particular swing that could perhaps be pleasing for both Jazz and Latin fans alike. Each tune possesses its own identity and structure. The opening number and title track "Salsa Strut" has danceable and Jazzy progressive phrases with a heavy salsa based groove with superb solos from Rick Davies, Arturo and Vince Cherico. "Tuno" is a slower paced mambo with horn phrases and changing bridge. O'Farrill's catchy vamp is heard as introduction to opening a battle exchange between Rick and Sam. The tune then closes with a solid conga solo from Juan Rodriguez. The only disappointment is the fade right when things get cooking.
  "Palladium Mozambique" is a bebop style son-montuno that features a subtle bass solo from Swartz. Once again Sam Furnace takes a progressive style solo and the tune closes with Juan on congas. The next tune "Suave" is a danceable Cha-Cha that has an attractive melody highlighting the harmonically rich qualities of the band."Piedra" is a progressive and jazzy 6/8 number that is full of creativity and depth including some interesting use of the horn lines. Inspired by Rick's wife Karen, "Lady K" is like listening to Billy Strayhorn interpreting a bolero. "Minor Byrd" closes out the session.
  Rick Davis and his Latin Jazz unit of musicians deliver a fine performance on Salsa Strut. Of noteworthy mention is the spirited piano work of Arturo O'Farrill. This is music that is not only danceable but also good for listening. If you enjoy pure, clean and emotional music then by all means pick it up and add it to your library.
  For more information on Jazzismo check out their website at www.jazzismo.com
  By Erik "Chico" Manqueros
  Contributing writer LatinJazzClub.com Magazine
  Email: EManqueros@LatinJazzClub.com
  Host & Producer of The Latin Style of Jazz
  

• Rick Davies and Jazzismo [+ Show ]
  

  Experience has taught us that good things eventually can become great, and can also be found anywher...Experience has taught us that good things eventually can become great, and can also be found anywhere and everywhere – if only we open our mental windows to let some fresh air in. With that being said, I introduce you to an accomplished musician and trombonist, Rick Davies and his crew Jazzismo. This project is as refreshing as a “piragua” on a hot summer day. Oh, did I tell you about the price increase of these “criollo” ices – I guess the market has been cornered on Mavi!!….
  Anyway, about Jazzismo. We begin with the title cut, Salsa Strut. This cut lays the foundation for all of the top-rated, talented musicians that comprise Jazzismo. It is a jam session that calls out “Tarima, everyone to the dance floor?” Vince Cherico on his drum solo just smokes!
  Next on tap we have Tuno. This tune has a very classic Latin jazz flavor that can be employed as a mambo session in today’s clubs. Arturo O’Farrill on piano is exceptional and Juan Rodíguez fires up the “cueros” with a closing conga solo that blew the laser eye out of my CD player; I’m still looking for my warranty. This cut seems to be the musician’s role call. Sam Furnace on alto saxophone and Harvie Swartz on bass exchange “Ali-Frazier” type combinations.
  On the cool down cha-cha note, Suave, Rick Davies explains to us via his trombone notes why he made this project – because it’s just simply good. As you sip on your Margarita or a Cuba Libre, this tune will close out the night with class.
  Piedra and Lady K (a classy dedication to Rick’s wife Karen), checks in with a strong trombone. Once again, the music takes you on a passionate ride. Amazing how the arrangements and the understanding reached between musical note and musician are so in harmony.
  Minor Bird is smooth and cool. This tune just glides along.
  This project, under the co-production of Salsa Picante’s very talented Pianist, Wayne Gorbea, has refreshed the Latin jazz world. Just as the “piragua” has stood the test of time, this musical “refreshment” will also give your CD collection a timeless addition.
  
  -- Angel Luis Garcia, Jr., Reviewer – Bochinchat Magazine
  

• "Siempre Salsa" - Rick Davies [+ Show ]
  

  I first heard about Siempre Salsa by Rick Davies when fellow contributor, Pietro Carbognani from I...
  I first heard about Siempre Salsa by Rick Davies when fellow contributor, Pietro Carbognani from Italy, posted some information about it in the weekly electronic newsletter, Que Corra La Voz, produced by Los Colaboradores Salseros. The information that Pietro posted was enough to peak my interest. Once I obtained the CD, I discovered that it is indeed an excellent recording!
  
  The CD also contains some excellent Latin jazz tracks, performed by Jazzismo; the Burlington, Vermont jazz sextet. Although more properly classified as Latin jazz, many salsa dancers will find them dance-worthy, especially the track Insomnio; which I particularly like. Members of Jazzismo include Rick Davies (trombone), Alex Stewart (saxophone), Tom Cleary (piano), John Rivers (bass), Jeff Salisbury (drums) and Steve Farraris (congas).
  
  However, since I am an avid salsa enthusiast, the salsa tracks on the CD are most appealing to me: Rosa primavera and Habana nocturna. Both tracks are of just the right tempo for the dance floor; which in my opinion is the ultimate test of salsa music, and both these tracks past the "dance floor" test with flying colors. They are both sure winners for both the club DJ and the casual listener. Assisting Rick Davies on these two tracks is the hot Bronx-based salsa group, Salsa Picante, for which Rick Davies had previously been the musical director for several years.
  
  Rosa primavera, penned by Rick Davies and his writing partner Dr. Fernando Iturburu, begins with an introductory piano line, strummed by Wayne Gorbea; the leader of Salsa Picante, that is reminiscent of Eddie Palmieri's critically acclaimed song Vámonos pa'l monte. In fact, when I first listened to the song, I thought that I was going to hear yet another of many covers of Palmieri's song. However, within just 10 seconds, just as sonero Frank Otero's somewhat nasal, but extremely appealing voice begins, I realized that the song and its arrangements were very different from the Palmieri song.
  
  Much of the success of Rosa primavera hinges on two excellent solos: a piano solo by Wayne Gorbea and a trombone solo by Rick Davies; both accompanied by the masterfully executed percussions of Juan Rodríguez (congas), Luis Cruz (bongó) and Ruben Borgas (timbales). During these parts of the song, I cannot resist the urge to dance. In fact, while writing this review, I have found myself listening to Rosa primavera again and again, and each time, those solos have forced me to stop writing and to listening contently; rolling and bobbing my head up and down, and shimmying my shoulders!
  
  Other Salsa Picante musicians heard on both the salsa tracks are Richie San Quintín (bass), Rafi Malkiel (trombone), Raúl Navarrette (trombone), and Tony Barrerro (trumpet).
  
  In summary, this CD, Siempre Salsa by Rick Davies is a real winner and welcome addition to my collection of great Latin music. If you are a casual salsa enthusiast, this CD will give you much listening pleasure. If you are a DJ, you simply must get this CD... your dancers will thank you!
  
  Review by DJ EL CAOBO

Setlist

Original songs:

Salsa Strut
Cena Para Seis
Lady K
Palladium Mozambique
Piedra
Insomnio
Santos
Calle Loca
Rumba Norteña
Caliente Time
Vega Para Ti
Suave
Rosa Primavera
Habana Nocturna


Cover tunes:

Bilongo
Guajira Inspiracíon
Obsesíon
Nutville
assorted bossa novas, sambas, etc.

Basic Requirements

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