JESSE DAVIS QUARTET

REFLECTIONS

Cellar Music Group

Jesse Davis, alto saxophone/composer; Spike Wilner, piano; John Webber, bass; Lewis Nash, drums.

Jesse Davis is steeped in bebop, the New Orleans blues tradition, and inspired by icons like Sonny Stitt and Cannonball Adderley.  According to his publicist, Davis’s unmistakable voice on the alto saxophone is both feel-good and introspective. I agree!

His composer talents shine on the quartet’s opening tune called “Blue Autumn.” It’s a Latin influenced tune, where each member of the team solos, individually introducing themselves to the listener.  As usual, Lewis Nash is dynamic and colorful on his trap drums. John Webber is exploratory and creative during his bass solo and Spike Wilner’s piano solo soars, laced with bluesy licks played by flying fingers. This original Jesse Davis tune sounds like a jazz standard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rzJ0vHcINU&list=RD1rzJ0vHcINU&start_radio=1

Next comes the Monk tune that is Jesse Davis’s album title, “Reflections.” His alto sax tells the sweet story without pretense or exaggeration. During the Davis improvised solo, he sounds a lot like Charlie Parker, but he’s bringing his own unique style and unmistakable voice to this project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffvLFmbrtO8&list=RDffvLFmbrtO8&start_radio=1

Davis has written three more tunes for this album. “Choctaw Alley” is a bluesy composition that’s elevated by Spike Wilner’s piano solo. When Jesse Davis steps forward with his improvised alto sax solo, he thoroughly entertains, displaying an emotional delivery. All his music sounds deeply personal.

Each musician steps into the spotlight with purpose and drive. “Funk Sugo” follows. It’s a more contemporary arrangement, in the realm of those 1967 Eddie Harris/Les McCann funk jazz tunes that elevated them to jazz funk success. Davis is an excellent composer. The final contribution from Jesse Davis is a tune called, “It’s Just Farewell.”  The song is very melodic, with the first music line in perfect harmony with the title-lyrics of the tune. The quartet presents it as a slow swing.

Jesse Davis has been on the jazz scene for four decades and has played with a host of legendary musicians. He’s a former student of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts with his mentor being the late, great Ellis Marsalis.  Davis has shared stages with Jack McDuff, Cecil Payne, Junior Mance, Kenny Barron, Cedar Walton and many others. He has toured with the iconic Charles McPherson.

This album becomes another feather in the Jesse Davis multi-faceted jazz cap.  Every tune, every arrangement, every solo on this album is captivating, soulful, and pleasurable.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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