Featured artist of this month is

Michael Davis

Trombonist/Composer/Arranger
plays with the New West Horn section

Praised by critics around the world for "successfully redefining a musical instrument" and "changing the opinion of the trombone", Michael Davis has become one of the leading and most distinguishable voices contemporary trombone playing. His numerous recording and touring credits include:
The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Branford Marsalis and The Tonight Show Band, Terence Blanchard, Bob Mintzer, and Buddy Rich.
A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Michael is a two time recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. His first two critically acclaimed solo albums, Heroes and Sidewalk Cafe, reached the top 20 on jazz radio airplay and featured the grammy award winning group Yellowjackets, clarinettist Eddie Daniels, and saxophonist Bob Mintzer.

Michael's debut release for JVC, Midnight Crossing, features an all-star supporting cast including Philippe Saisse, Kenny Garrett, Gary Burton, Bill Evans, Anthony Jackson, Steve Ferrone and Toninho Horta.

Critics have hailed him as "one of the nation's star jazz trombone players," credited him with "successfully redefining a musical instrument" and labeled him as "Tommy Dorsey's successor in trombone greatness." Michael Davis is one of the leading and most distinguishable voices of contemporary trombone playing and composition.
A native of the San Francisco Bay area, Michael is a graduate of the famed Eastman School of Music and is a two time recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Dynamic new arrangements.

Kind Words from some impressive fans:

JOE ALESSI, Principal Trombonist-New York Philharmonic:
"Michael Davis has put together some of the best arrangements for trombone ensemble I've heard in a long time. His complete understanding of the trombone is evident in this collection. They are absolutely a joy to play and listen to. I highly recommend them!"

CHARLIE WATTS, Drummer "The Rolling Stones" :
"In this bone-dry era, it is essential to have Michael Davis around."

DAVE SANBORN, Star Jazz Saxophonist:
"An artist to watch out for... Michael has changed a lot of opinions about the trombone."

JIGGS WHIGHAM, Internationally renowned trombone soloist and educator:
"Michael Davis is a wonderful musician who has mastered the tenor and bass trombone. His writing is mature, has depth and is fun to play. Thanks Michael for your superb contribution to our repertoire!"

DR. JOHN MARCELLUS, Prof. of Trombone-Eastman School of Music
"Good news for trombonists! Michael Davis' fine arrangements and original compositions for trombones are now in print. His unique,contemporary writing style is refreshing to play and hear. A great addition to the repertoire for trombone ensembles."

SACRAMENTO BEE, "A trombone player with such a flexible technical brilliance and command of tone that he might well be ranked with the best in history."

MATT FINDERS, Trombonist-The Tonight Show
"Michael Davis is taking the trombone into the 21st Century and he's bringing these fantastic arrangements along with him. Unlike most contemporary literature, these charts are written specifically for the trombone and they sound like it!"

RAYMOND PREMRU, Prof. of Trombone-Oberlin Conservatory of Music
"Bravo and thank you Michael for your wonderful contributions to our repertoire.The works of Michael Davis are a must which no self respecting studio or ensemble should be without. A nice touch which comes with the score is a tape of the workin which all the parts are played by Mr. Davis. A tremendous success!!"

THE NEW WEST HORNS

left to right: Andy Snitzer, Michael and Kenth Smith behind SD Systems' factory in Amsterdam, a bit frightened between cow shit and some wild animals just before their gig with the Stones that night.

In New York, the recording artists and producers know the New West Horns as Andy Snitzer, Michael Davis, and Kent Smith. Their collective discography and tour itineraries are nothing less than a who's who of contemporary music. Their work on the New York session circuit has made them first choice for producers as diverse as Phil Ramone, Thomas Dolby, Russ Titelman, Paul Simon.
On the live stage, Snitzer, Davis and Smith have performed with Paul Simon, Dr.John, Frank Sinatra, The O'Jay's, The Temptations, Harry Connick Jr., Gladys Knight & the Pips, Liza Minelli, Branford Marsalis and Sarah Vaughan and the Rolling Stones.

Saxophonist Andy Snitzer is a native of Philadelphia, with his first solo recording for Warner Brother's in 1994. Snitzer is among the busiest session players on the scene today.
Originally from San Francisco, JVC Recordinhg artist Michael Davis has recently completed his next release titled "Midnight Crossing" Michael is a graduate of the prestigious Eastrnan School of Music.

Kent Smith on trumpet is a native of Willmar, Minnesota and a graduate of the Indiana School of Music. Leaving the mid west behind he headed to New York to carve out a niche in the studio scene.

They have recorded with Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Frank Sinatra, Dr. John, Carly Simon, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltry.

 

To Homepage Michael

Hip-Bone Music Presents: ABSOLUTE TROMBONE featuring: Urbie Green - Bill Watrous - David Taylor Conrad Herwig Robin Eubanks Jim Pugh Joe Alessi Tom Malone Birch Johnson John Fedchock Keith O'Quinn Ed Neumeister Herb Besson Larry Farrell Jack Schatz George Flynn Phil Markowitz Jesse Green Dennis Mackrel Joel Rosenblatt John Patitucci Steve Turre

 

 

 

 

Michael's three critically acclaimed solo albums, Heroes, Sidewalk Cafe (Voss Records) and Midnight Crossing (Lipstick Records) feature guest performances by some of the best musicians in the business including the grammy award winning group Yellowjackets; saxophonists Kenny Garrett, Bob Mintzer and Bill Evans; producer/keyboardist Philippe Saisse; clarinetist Eddie Daniels and vibraphonist Gary Burton.

Order a Hip-Bone Music chart or Michael Davis CD today and hear why JazzTimes magazine calls him "a virtuosic lyricist whose music should open doors. Transcending categorization, he creates pleasingly evocative moods through adroit blends of classical, mainstream, fusion and eco-jazz. Davis's creamy sound and buttery slide weave wonders!"