Steve Davis, influenced by the 1950s bebop, has created a unique sound for the slide trombone. Davis is still performing with Chick Corea’s sextet Origin, in addition to leading his own band and as co-leader of One for All. Davis stated that he is drawn to music that allows creativity to express itself. He said this in a 2001 interview. “Music which challenges the listener (as much as the musicians playing it), to think, imagine, and feel.” Davis, a native of Binghamton NY, grew up in a musical environment. His father was a collector of blues, jazz, and rock records, while his mother loved the radio. He developed a talent for harmony with his younger brother. His maternal grandmother, who was a stride pianist and performed in local restaurants, passed Davis’ musical talents on to him. He learned to play the bassline on the piano at the age of six. However, he also studied tuba, baritone and trumpet in school. He switched to the trombone to be a part of the high school stage/dance group. This was where he found his natural musical voice. Davis honed his skills at a summer jazz workshop held by SUNY Binghamton, where the Bob Brookmeyer Quartet featuring Joe Lovano was the resident band. Later, he spent three years with Binghamton Youth Symphony. He continued his education at the University of Hartford’s Hartt College of Music where he was mentored and guided by Jackie McLean, alto saxophonist. McLean suggested Davis to jazz drummer Art Blakey, which was Davis’s first career break. He replaced Frank Lacy in 1989 after he had sat in on several gigs with Blakey’s group. He was with the band until Blakey’s passing in 1990. Teaching since 1985, Davis joined the jazz faculty at the Hartt College of Music in 1991. from http://www.allmusic.com
