Nathan Davis

[Dave James]

Sometimes when I have a few extra bucks, I'll take a flyer on something from Dusty Groove. Without having anything more to go on than their over-the-top thumbnail sketches, this can be a hit or miss proposition. The other day, I went for one called "Happy Girl" by Nathan Davis on the Saba/MPS label. Well, as hits or misses go, this is a definite hit. It hasn't been too far from the top of my rotation since I got it a couple of weeks ago.

So, the question is...who dat man? From what I gather he was a European expat who delved at one time or another into many different forms of jazz, some good, some not so good. Needless to say, I'm a straight up kind of guy, so I'd be interested in any other Davis recommendations that fit within this parameter or just anyone's thoughts of, reactions to or ideas about Mr. Davis.

Up over and out.

[robviti]

it's funny, but in searching the board, the name nathan davis most often comes up when someone is looking for one of his recordings. there's rarely been any discussion of the man, his history, his current projects, etc. i'm the happy owner of the saba/mps twofer, but i've been unsuccessful in finding his later titles on cd. here's a link to his website: nathandavisjazz.com also, here's a link to a recording you might like: stablemates. davis recorded a few times in the 90's with an all-star group that called themselves "roots." two of their recordings (stablemates and saying something) can sometimes be found in the used bins. btw, if the all music guide is to be believed, davis went through some dramatic changes in the late 90's. he was transformed into a young, white guitar player: amg

here's the real thing

Edited February 24, 2006 by jazzshrink

[Guest akanalog]

i like "happy girl" though i was hoping it would be a bit more progressive overall. some good tunes and the rhythm section (woode/brooks) really impressed me.

i have avoided davis' 70s albums which are available from DG because for some reason, though they sound appealing, i have a feeling i will be disappointed.

DG used to sell another late 60s one with hampton hawes and jimmy garrison and art taylor? which if they start selling again i could see checking out based on "happy girl". it was an expensive import i think.

[JSngry]

Davis hails from Pittsburgh and expatriated pretty early in the game. I think he's a fine player, actually, although his earlier recordings show him to be a "work in progress". I'm ok with that.

Da' Bastids are currently offering two of his 70s albums. One's kind of a "fusion" type thing coming from the funk tip, and it's ok, but the other is a suite in memory of Dr. King that is very good, and unlike the typically optimistic hue these things tend to take, more than a little pessimistic in its overall attitude. A very provocative liste, actually.

I had the pleasure of seeing Nathan Davis while I was still in high school. He appeared at a clinic along with Clark Terry, and he played just fine. I might even have a cassette of the performance stashed away in the closet somewhere.

I consider him one of the "infantry soldiers" of the music, somebody who works hard at their craft and is constantly trying (and usually succeeding) to improve. Nothing glamorous or grippingly innovative about his playing, but that's not the point with players like this. The point is that they're out there trying to do what they do as best (and most importantly, sincerely) as they can do it, and they always seem to find someplace in which to do it. I have a lot of respect for that.

[Peter A]

If you like "Happy Girl", you will certainly like "Hip Walk", also on the SABA/MPS label. It's a great session, also with Carmell Jones (tp), Francy Boland (p), Jimmy Woode (b) and Kenny Clarke (ds).

It is (or was?) available on CD (together with Happy Girl) but also on a replica of the original vinyl issue (which is pretty expensive).

Slightly more modern (sometimes w/electric bass) but also very good are Davis' albums on the Segué label, "Makatuka" (1970) and "The 6th Sense In The 11th House" (1972). I think these are only avalaible on vinyl, but are not too difficult (or expensive) to find.

Here is a website with a discography: Nathan Davis discography

[robviti]

i wonder what this live recording from 1968 sounds like:

[JSngry]

It's lively and frisky!

[robviti]

It's lively and frisky!

[JSngry]

Almost!

Seriously, that's a good side.

[clifford_thornton]

The band on Soul Eyes is sick; must be pretty early in Ntshoko's discography, no?

Keep eyeing Rules of Freedom, one of these days will be eyeing it with my wallet. Anything from the late '60s with Art Taylor has got to be heavy...

Also, his new one is nice - The Other Side of Morning - and it's available from Mr. Davis directly from the website, I believe.

Here's an interview done over at AAJ, which doesn't spend enough time on the early shit, but which is still fairly informative:

Nathan Davis on AAJ

[JSngry]

I said he was from Pittsbugh. That's wrong. He's from Kansas City. He's on staff at the University of Pittsburgh, and was already there when I heard him at that clinic. Guess that's how I made the connection. My bad.

[sidewinder]

There's also this nice one from the 1980s put out on Hothouse by the guys from Mole Jazz at the time (the band has Dusko Gojkovich)

[MartyJazz]

There's also a fine one from around '68 - JAZZ CONCERT IN A BENEDICTINE MONASTERY, a quartet date that includes Mal Waldron, Jimmy Woode and Art Taylor. As mentioned above, the Polydor date - RULES OF FREEDOM - is also a very good quartet recording. Having gotten into Davis over 30 years ago, these two are a couple of my more valued vinyl recordings. I also have one on the Segue label with an African sounding title - MAKATULA (sp ???) that I've rarely played, evidently because I don't think it measures up to the others mentioned.

[Daniel A]

Keep eyeing Rules of Freedom, one of these days will be eyeing it with my wallet. Anything from the late '60s with Art Taylor has got to be heavy...

Rules of Freedom is strongly recommended! And Hampton Hawes was also still playing great in 1967; espescially interesting to hear him on one of the tracks which is more "out" than anything I've heard with Hawes.

It's available on CD from Japan - not too expensive.

Edited February 24, 2006 by Daniel A

[Steve Gray]

Nathan Davis was in the Paris Reunion band so you might want to look out for their stuff.

I saw the Paris Reunion band at a festival in England in 1985.

I can remember Nathan Davis, Johnny Griffin, Woody Shaw, Jimmy Woode, not sure who else.

[doubleM]

I have a copy of his book "Writings in Jazz" which I keep meaning to read. Maybe if I move it to the bathroom I'll get through a few chapters. -_- I really enjoy his albums with Woody Shaw and Carmell Jones.

[marcello]

There's also a fine one from around '68 - JAZZ CONCERT IN A BENEDICTINE MONASTERY, a quartet date that includes Mal Waldron, Jimmy Woode and Art Taylor. As mentioned above, the Polydor date - RULES OF FREEDOM - is also a very good quartet recording. Having gotten into Davis over 30 years ago, these two are a couple of my more valued vinyl recordings. I also have one on the Segue label with an African sounding title - MAKATULA (sp ???) that I've rarely played, evidently because I don't think it measures up to the others mentioned.

I have MAKATULA also; don't care for it and it's a bad pressing, to boot!

[clifford_thornton]

Rules of Freedom

It's available on CD from Japan - not too expensive.

Good to know - I often forget those little round things exist!

[.:.impossible]

I think the only Nathan Davis I have here is with Dolphy. One disc is called Naima, the other Last Recordings. I've always enjoyed his soloing on these two.

[Peter Friedman]

I have 3 CDs by Nathan Davis and he is a sideman on some others. To be honest, I have never found his playing to be anything other than mediocre. I enjoy the playing of the sidemen on the Nathan Davis recordings better than I do that of Nathan. There are so very many tenor players I like, that by comparison the playing of Nathan Davis just doesn't do much for me.

Of course that is just my personal opinion.

[Kari S]

I quite recently bought IF (1974). Boy does it suck... His tone sounds ridiculos, as do all the solos for that matter. The one 'giantsteps-ish' tune is probably the worst of the bunch...

So AVOID

[gslade]

Keep eyeing Rules of Freedom, one of these days will be eyeing it with my wallet. Anything from the late '60s with Art Taylor has got to be heavy...

Rules of Freedom is strongly recommended! And Hampton Hawes was also still playing great in 1967; espescially interesting to hear him on one of the tracks which is more "out" than anything I've heard with Hawes.

It's available on CD from Japan - not too expensive.

yep I enjoy Rules of Freedom and Happy Girl, but these are the only sessions

I have heard.

[MartyJazz]

yep I enjoy Rules of Freedom and Happy Girl, but these are the only sessions

I have heard.

Those are easily his two best recordings.

[DMP]

Davis is indeed from Kansas City, but, after a stint in Europe, took a job here at the University of Pittsburgh, where's he's taught for 35 years. At the time he took the job, his musician friends thought he was crazy - but now jazz musicians at colleges are fairly common. A pioneer! Rarely plays here in town - you're more likely to catch him in London or Brazil! His annual concert here is a highlight - this year it was Payton, Tolliver, Spaulding, Moody, Coryell, Rosness. I'm lukewarm on his records, but think he's playing better than ever.

[Bright Moments]

ditto that!