Ron Davis

Artist Information

Biography

RON DAVIS
rondavismusic.com
sonicbids.com/rondavismusic (EPK)

"He very well may be the most gifted pianist in Canada." - rivetingriffs.com

"One of Canada's A-List pianist!" - CFRB Radio

"One of Canada's hottest acts in both bop and pop circles!" - CNET

Moving effortlessly between musical genres, projects, and influences, pianist-composer Ron Davis has established himself as one of the most original, enjoyable voices in jazz today.

Ron is active on the worldwide jazz scene and has built a dynamic career including several successful international tours. He cites piano giants Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum and Thelonious Monk as inspirations, but his clean, energetic, joyous playing style is uniquely his own.

Ron is the unusual combination of a virtuoso pianist and an entertainer. He reads audiences and really connects, creating a multi-textured musical mix that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats.

On any given night, Ron's set list might include classic Tatum alongside Coldplay, James Taylor, Bill Withers, or Bebel Gilberto. The result is a magnificent mélange of instrumental and experimental music, and as importantly, an unforgettable evening out.

To date, Ron has released seven full-length recordings to unanimous international critical praise. He will release two new titles in 2012—Blue Modules, an experimental musical project exploring post-modern jazz, and Symphronica, an innovative jazz-symphony fusion album made with the Windsor Symphony.

After early studies at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ron studied with Darwyn Aitken—himself a student of classical great David Saperton and jazz legend Oscar Peterson.

In 2005, Ron was awarded the Japan Foundation's prestigious Uchida Fellowship for the Performing Arts, as well as the position of Visiting Scholar at Tokyo's Hosei University.

When his isn’t wowing audiences around the world, Ron sits on the boards of several charities (he is Past Secretary of The Glenn Gould Foundation,) publishes articles on music, law and linguistics, and practices yoga. He is married to the lovely and highly-hyphenated Daniela Nardi, the award-winning, Italian-Canadian, singer-songwriter of jazz-pop. The couple call Toronto home.

BOOKINGS- U.S.
Robin Klinger
Robin Klinger Entertainment LLC
robin@robinklingerentertainment.com
516-472-7130

BOOKINGS- CANADA:
Real World Artist Management
Faye Perkins
fayep@realworldartists.com
+1 905-894-4667

Tal Hebdon
talh@realworldartists.com
+1 416-871-2003

MEDIA
Lisa Weitz
LW Communications
lw@lwcommunications.ca
416-624-3466

Instrumentation

Ron Davis - piano

Mike Downes- bass
Ted Warren - drums

Discography

"My Mother’s Father’s Song" (2010- Minerva Road / Davinor Records 600977)

"A goldmine of inspirational nuggets!" (All About Jazz)

Critics' Pick- Toronto Star (CD release concert)

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"The Bestseller" (2008 - Davinor 233377/Minerva Road Entertainment)

Ron Davis - piano
Sasha Boychouk - clarinet

"Ron Davis' "The Bestseller" CD with Sasha Boychuk is a true work of art." (Ralph Benmergui- Jazz.FM)

"Splendid new recording... killer playing" (Toronto Sun)

Best of 2008 (JAZZ.FM, SoundProof)

#1 on the Earshot and ChartAttack Radio charts!

Real bestsellers are always love stories. Ron Davis' The Bestseller (Minerva Road / Davinor Records 233377) is no different. It's a musical story. The story of the romance between a Canadian piano (played by composer Ron Davis,) that meets a Ukrainian clarinet (played by Sasha Boychouk.) In 12 songs and 9 unique Interludes, Ron and Sasha display the sizzling chemistry of their music-making partnership.

*****************************

"Subarashii Live" (2007- Davinor 89144/Minerva Road Entertainment)
#1 on the charts (ChartAttack Dec 07)!

"[Subarashii Live] provides an emotional salve for what ails you... . Overall rating: awesome!" WholeNote Magazine

"Pianist Ron Davis ... brings it all together, working in close harmony with his band to create an impressive musical palette.... lyrical... stunning... compelling listening." AllAboutJazz.com

A collection of mostly original compositions that lives up to the critical acclaim of his previous albums. Subarashii Live captures two sell-out concerts at the historic Paul Hahn Pianos, in midtown Toronto, with his quintet.

*******************

'Shimmering Rhythm' (2005- Davinor 3455/Minerva Road Entertainment)

Top 10 2005: JAZZ.FM, CODA Magazine, Zeitgeist, l'Express

"Fantastic!"
CBC Radio

"A tour de force ten times over!" - All About Jazz

"An outstanding, fresh and life affirming piece of work, and one of the most enjoyable jazz releases of 2005!" - Zeitgeist (Scotland)

"A lovely, personal album...an original album, with good solos, rich ensemble work, the kind of contemplative mood I favour, and a personal touch that puts Davis right out there, where he belongs." - The Live Music Report


from Dominique Denis' liner notes:

"Even by Ron Davis standards, this was a ambitious venture: a jazz record, no doubt, but informed by a dangerously broad range of idioms. Where else do the styles and spirit of Debussy, Bird, Bach, Vince Guaraldi and the Klezmatics not only make room for one another, but actually make sense to one another?

Seamlessly woven together by Tania Gill’s arrangements for double trio (Ron and his rhythm section, augmented by viola, cello and clarinet), Shimmering Rhythm features reedman Sacha Boychouk, contralto Jean Stillwell and Alex Davis - Ron’s father - singing a poignant Passover melody. Back in the 50’s, a record like this one just might have given Third Stream a good name. In 2005’s musical landscape, it stands practically alone."

*******************

'Mungle Music' (2004- Davinor 1321)

Top 10 2004: CODA Magazine, CBC, Radio-Canada

"Brilliant Album!"
Stanley Fefferman- The Live Music Report

"Pianist Davis shows off his percussive (and writing) skills... but he always shows off other areas of interest in his rigorous, well-crafted creations."
Geoff Chapman - Toronto Star

"Music to sit up and take notice of!"
Matthew Robinson - AllAboutJazz.com

"Davis turns up the heat for Mungle Music without sacrificing the pure tone and harmonic clarity of his keyboards." 4 stars out of 5.
Steve Baylin - Hour


Airplay: CBC, JAZZ-FM 91.1, WWOZ, CFRB, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, France etc.

*******************

'So Much' (2003 - Rosemary Lane / Cullinor)

Best Jazz Album of the Year nominee - Canadian Independent Music Awards

"I scrambled to pick my jaw up off the floor... If you like jazz, you're going to fall in love. Did I mention that the jazz trio is on fire too?”
Tamara Turner - Cdbaby.com

“A remarkable album.”
Julia M. Scott - AllAboutJazz.com

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'Solo Duo Trio' (2001 - Cullinor)

“…this is an album I listened to a great deal, I’m enjoying it.”
Ross Porter - CBC

#3 - HMV Toronto Indie chart (Nov. 31/01)
#3 – jazzpromo.com (Dec. /01-Jan. /02)
#4- CHRW Jazz chart (Dec. 16/01)

Links

• Twitter
• Last.fm
• Facebook
• Symphronica- Ron Davis + Symphony Orchestra!
• Ron Davis Music Store
• Ron Davis YouTube Channel
• CDBaby

Audio

• Bal u Grubego Joska
  Listen  
• Thomachonga
  Listen  
• The Climb
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• Mio Latino
  Listen  
• D'Hora
  Listen  
• Rhythmaron
  Listen  
• Pawpwalk
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• Popeye
  Listen  

Video

WHIRLYCURLm

Pawpwalk

Photo Gallery

Press

• "Ron Davis...just might be the best Jazz pianist in Canada right now."
  

  "Ron Davis...just might be the best Jazz pianist in Canada right now."

• "A true work of art." [+ Show ]
  

  "Ron Davis' "The Bestseller" CD with Sasha Boychuk is a true work of art." Ralph Benmergui - Jazz.F..."Ron Davis' "The Bestseller" CD with Sasha Boychuk is a true work of art."
  Ralph Benmergui - Jazz.FM

• "Splendid new recording... killer playing" [+ Show ]
  

  Definite Bestseller Ron Davis/Sasha Boychouk jazz collaboration 'destined to happen' By ERROL ...Definite Bestseller
  
  Ron Davis/Sasha Boychouk jazz collaboration 'destined to happen'
  
  By ERROL NAZARETH
  
  It would be easy to judge The Bestseller by its title and charge its creators with arrogance -- or at least wishful thinking. But to do so would be to miss both the point and the beauty of the splendid new recording by pianist Ron Davis and clarinetist Sasha Boychouk.
  
  It's a rare coupling, clarinet and piano, but one that works to great effect on this disc that embraces styles as diverse as klezmer and gospel. Davis' and Boychouk's playing is absolutely killer, the chemistry they share is undeniable, and the record is proof that this collaboration was destined to happen.
  
  In fact, Davis says a duet recording was in the stars after the two played together the first time.
  
  "There was so much pleasure ... it was a given that we should record," he says. "It wasn't a falling in love. It was instantaneous and whole from the get-go. It's like those couples who say, 'As soon as I met so-and-so I knew we would be married.'"
  
  The fact that The Bestseller was recorded over "two relaxed, wonderful days" is testament to their musical connection, one that Davis attributes to Boychouk's openness.
  
  "He is not bound by right and wrong -- as if such a thing existed in music -- and he is not constricted by theory," Davis says, "He does not play by the book or from the book. He makes music. He plays from the heart, and he has the virtuoso chops to go wherever his heart takes him."
  
  Davis says that when they finally found time to record, he would "call a tune, Sasha would let me know if he felt like playing it then, and away we went!
  
  "Sometimes we would talk a bit about tempo or about arrangement, but for the most part the playing was spontaneous. We didn't need to talk and process much."
  
  Davis, who is as adventurous and unconventional a player as Boychouk, defines their style as "playing without borders."
  
  "I don't play theoretically correct bebop scales," he says proudly, his statement aimed squarely at the jazz police. "No style-appropriate riffs. Not what I'm supposed to play. I play what I think, what I feel is the most musical sound at the moment."
  
  Sweet coincidence, then, that the piano Davis played on The Bestseller was the Steinway concert grand piano that is said to have been Glenn Gould's favourite at CBC.
  
  "Glenn Gould is a huge influence on me," says Davis, who is on the executive leadership group of the Glenn Gould Foundation.
  
  He says that the piano/clarinet coupling is quite rare, adding that it's a shame considering how beautiful the blend is.
  
  "I think Oscar Peterson and Buddy DeFranco recorded a duo album, but I can't think of any other off-hand," he says. "There was a time when clarinet and piano were the reigning instruments in jazz. The heyday was the 1930s: Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw on clarinet, Duke Ellington, Teddy Wilson and Art Tatum on piano. Yet, no one seems to have recorded any -- or at least many -- clarinet/piano duets."
  
  Another unique element of this project is the story that is woven into the CD. It consists of nine epigraphs by Canadian writer and librettist Val Brandt. When read together, the sentence fragments attached to each musical interlude make up the plotline of The Bestseller.
  
  "I wrote a tune for Sasha called Sashagraha," Davis says. "We then set aside about 10 minutes and played spontaneous improvisations based on the tune. These became the nine interludes on the album. There was no rehearsal and no planning. Just playing."

• "Overall Rating: Awesome!" [+ Show ]
  

  Ron Davis Jazz Pianist [Subarashi Live (2007- Davinor 89144)] is an eclectic mix that provides...Ron Davis Jazz Pianist
  
  [Subarashi Live (2007- Davinor 89144)] is an eclectic mix that provides an emotional salve for what ails you. Moreover, the cast of characters gels to such a degree, that the usual "pass the baton" relay race that typifies standard jazz charts is so seamless, it's hardly even there.
  In some cases the piece titles tell it like it is: Mio Latino is a cheerful upbeat salsa/ samba with just the right spices; Applausable Excuse literally gets the audience going in a participatory fervour; Reel du Pointe-au-Pic is a little more obscure — it's a brilliant take on Dixieland featuring Sasha Boychouk on clarinet and providing Ron a chance to strut his inimitable piano prowess. One of my favourites is D'Hora. It builds to such a tizzy that it pushes the limits of virtual disintegration—pushes but doesn't breach, the group is too tight to actually ever lose it.
  The climax of the album is an eleven-minute track called Thomachonga. You'll likely recognize the tune. The improv that Ted Warren brings to the drum solo is outstanding. His finesse and sensitivity melt under the other band members' sizzle — notably the wizardry of Mike Downes on bass. I would be remiss if I didn't mention Richard Underhill's sax work — it's the glue that binds. Overall rating: awesome!

• "Dazzlingly eclectic!" [+ Show ]
  

  RON DAVIS: This pianist/composer is one of the most versatile artists around. He has successfully co...RON DAVIS: This pianist/composer is one of the most versatile artists around. He has successfully collaborated with vocalist Lori Cullen, and released a series of fine albums. His new recording, Shimmering Rhythm,
  is dazzlingly eclectic, as Davis explains. "Our sound doesn't correspond to some listeners' notion of jazz. It's not bebop or swing or post-bop. There are elements of each, and much more." Other influences include classical, pop,
  and klezmer, and Davis tackles each style with real finesse. His trio's sound is augmented by such guests as famed mezzo-soprano Jean Stilwell, arranger Tania Gill, and skilled string and horn players.

• "Exceptionally gifted and eclectic, Hats Off Mr. Davis"! [+ Show ]
  

  Dominique Denis L’Express November 20 - 26 2007 Exceptionally gifted and eclectic, Toronto pia...Dominique Denis
  L’Express
  November 20 - 26 2007
  
  Exceptionally gifted and eclectic, Toronto pianist Ron Davis seems like the living incarnation of the perpetuum mobile, buzzing from flower to flower following his successive projects as they emerge, straight from the heart. But there is one constant with him: pleasure. The pleasure of sharing, of offering to audiences what they want, but also what they do not expect. It’s the pleasure of the eternal child, who has just learned a new magic trick and can’t wait to show it to everyone.
  It should come as no surprise, then, that the very same day he returned from a long stay in Japan, Davis set in motion the events which led to his Subarashii Live show, which then led to the album of the same name, which means “fantastic” in Japanese.
  Rounding up what is now his quintet saxophonist Richard Underhill, clarinettist Sasha Boychouk, bassist Mike Downes and drummer Ted Warren Davis gives us nine songs whose titles (e.g. Allelujah, Mio Latino, D'Hora, Réel de Pointe-au-Pic ) give an idea of the diversity of their origins.
  And the greatest pleasure of this album is to hear how much these musicians, selected from amongst the outsized talent of the Toronto scene, invest not only their technique, but also their humour and their heart, in this enterprise.
  If Ron Davis’ fingers sometimes give the impression of dancing on the keyboard with the febrility of somebody who has just one espresso too many in his system, there is none of the “look at me swing” in it. With him, velocity is the natural product of exuberance, enabling him to channel - and to share, always - the unstoppable torrent of ideas accompanying it, the every swirl of which his accomplices negotiate with aplomb. It bears clarifying that, for all its frequent spillovers, the music of Ron Davis is always of an exemplary structural rigour.
  Davis is sometimes criticized for the extreme accessibility of his writing, the irresistibility of his melodies. But rather than let himself be undone by the fact that the record labels have, until now, rejected his hybrid music (“I’m too pop for jazz, and too jazz for pop”, he says with irony), he produces his own recordings, steering his ship with courage and integrity, amusing with his muse, and satisfying his audiences all along. Subarashii and hats off, Mr. Davis!
  

• "Brilliant Album!" [+ Show ]
  

  RON DAVIS TRIO - MUNGLE MUSIC- Brilliant Album. Introduced by two numbers written by Davis, the firs...RON DAVIS TRIO - MUNGLE MUSIC- Brilliant Album. Introduced by two numbers written by Davis, the first declaring his strong left hand piano
  style, pronounced rythmn, lyrical melodic sense, lush chording in the solos. The second number, based on
  classical dance form of the `bourrée, alludes crisply to Satie, preludes a generally allusive style throughout the album with references to ragtime, Wailer, Garner, Monk and classical sources.
  
  Always witty and in good taste, full of humour and a unique sense of story telling, especially in the bluesy
  ballads, featuring the sax of guest player Richard Underhill. Davis works well with his partners, Drew Birston on Bass who gives bold punctuation to the pieces; Ted Warren on drums, who provides elegant decor with brushes and light cymbal work. Good mix of standards(4- including surprises--"Popeye the Sailorman, "Hymne a l'amour"), and 10 originals, well-paced from reflective to very uptempo, detailing
  Davis' virtuosity, taste, and nowledge of the piano.

• "Touche à tout surdoué... Chapeau M. Davis!" [+ Show ]
  

  Touche à tout surdoué, le pianiste torontois Ron Davis semble l’incarnation vivante du mouvement per...Touche à tout surdoué, le pianiste torontois Ron Davis semble l’incarnation vivante du mouvement perpétuel, butinant de fleur en fleur au gré de projets dictés par ses coups de cœur successifs. Mais il y a une constante chez lui: le plaisir. Celui du partage, d’offrir au public ce qu’il veut, mais aussi ce qu’il n’attendait pas. Celui, enfin, de l’éternel gamin qui vient d’apprendre un nouveau tour de passe-passe et qui brûle d’envie de le montrer à tout le monde.
  
  On ne s’étonnera donc pas que le jour même de son retour d’un long séjour au Japon, Davis ait mis en branle les événements qui ont mené au spectacle Subarashii Live, ce qui mènerait ensuite à la parution de l’album du même nom, lequel signifie «fantastique» en japonais.
  
  Rameutant ce qu’il convient désormais d’appeler son quintette, c’est-à-dire le saxophoniste Richard Underhill, le clarinettiste Sasha Boychouk, le contrebassiste Mike Downes et le batteur Ted Warren, Davis nous livre neuf pièces dont les titres – Allelujah, Mio Latino, D’Hora, Reel de Pointe-au-Pic – donnent une idée de leurs provenances des plus diverses.
  
  Et le plus grand plaisir de cet album est de constater à quel point ses musiciens, choisis parmi les grandes pointures de la scène torontoise, investissent non seulement leur technique, mais aussi leur humour et leur âme, dans cette entreprise.
  
  Si les doigts de Ron Davis donnent par moments l’impression de danser sur le clavier avec la fébrilité de quelqu’un qui aurait un espresso de trop dans le sang, cela n’a rien du «m’as-tu vu quand je swinge». Chez lui, la vélocité est le produit naturel de l’exhubérance, lui permettant de canaliser – et de partager, toujours – cet irrésistible torrent d’idées qui le traverse, et dont ses complices négocient avec aplomb tous les remous. Car il convient de préciser que, pour ses fréquents débordements, la musique de Ron Davis est toujours d’une rigueur structurelle exemplaire.
  
  Parfois, on a reproché à Davis l’extrême accessibilité de son écriture, l’irrésistibilité de ses mélodies. Mais plutôt que de se laisser démonter par le fait que les maisons de disques ont jusqu’ici boudé sa démarche hybride («Je suis trop pop pour le jazz et trop jazz pour le pop», ironise-t-il), il produit ses propres enregistrements, mène sa barque avec courage et intégrité, s’amusant avec sa muse et comblant son public au passage. Subarashii et chapeau, M. Davis!

• "An enthralling CD...A fabulous release!" [+ Show ]
  

  Ron Davis and his Trio take their influences from the great trios of Oscar Peterson and Andre Previn...Ron Davis and his Trio take their influences from the great trios of Oscar Peterson and Andre Previn, and still manage to make their mark. However, they are not immune to the ravages of the last few decades and have a contemporary flavour as well, although never too far away from swing and post-bop jazz. Filled out by virtuoso performances from Drew Birston on bass, and Ted Warren on drums, this is a pure delight.
  
  A true renaissance man, Ron Davis is also a poet, short story writer, a Ph.D. in French Linguistics, and a once-upon-a-time lawyer, who has been performing since 1970. The original material is an absolute delight with “Blues For Suze” (courtesy of special guest Richard Underhill), a particular highlight. Although there are constant musical references to Art Tatum, this only adds to an enthralling CD.
  
  The other gem is Léon Durocher and Gustave Goubliers, “Hymne à l’amour” a remarkable love song, which simply leaves you gasping, wishing and wondering. A fabulous release.
  
  
  www.the-rocker.co.uk
  November 2004

• Street ARTPLEX Kumamoto - Japan [+ Show ]
  

  The Ron Davis Trio's appearance here in Kumamoto was a great success, and a wonderful introduction t...The Ron Davis Trio's appearance here in Kumamoto was a great success, and a wonderful introduction to the people here of Canadian jazz. That was the first time, in my experience, that an audience gave a standing ovation at a Street ARTPLEX concert. I want to tell the Canadian people: I hope you go and enjoy the Ron Davis Trio!

• "One of Canada's hottest acts in both bop and pop... it's obvious why!" [+ Show ]
  

  Toronto's ... Ron Davis Trio has been one of Canada's hottest acts in both bop and pop circles for m...Toronto's ... Ron Davis Trio has been one of Canada's hottest acts in both bop and pop circles for many years, and it's obvious why. Offering the daring stabs of Monk and the lushly evocative swoops of Art Tatum, pianist Davis's bold runs crackle with confidence, and his flawless upright-and-drums backup illuminates every not

• Jazz USA / Music Dish
  

  [Mungle Music is] music to sit up and take notice of!

Setlist

Basic Requirements

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