Ron Davis (jazz musician)
Encyclopedia
Ron Davis is a pianist and composer based in Toronto, Canada. Davis' performances and musical creations have earned critical acclaim in Canada and abroad, including comparisons to jazz greats like Oscar Peterson
and Art Tatum
. Davis has released seven full-length albums to date. His most recent, "My Mother's Father's Song," is his first all trio recording. A celebrated 1930's Polish song about Davis' maternal grandfather lends its title to the album.
and swing, though he's retained a clean and straightforward playing style. He studied at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto
before playing piano professionally in the 1970s, and studied with the late Darwyn Aitken, a student of classical great David Saperton and jazz legend Oscar Peterson
. These early influences are still reflected in the style and tone of Davis’ musical creations.
Davis and his collaborators have performed all over the world, including Asia which he has toured four times. A jazz pianist in the solo tradition, he has also been featured as the opening act for jazz legend Dave Holland
and his quintet. SymphRonica superimposes his unique brand of jazz on the traditional symphonic landscape.
As a composer, Davis released Rhythmaron: The Music of Ron Davis in 2008, a deluxe compendium of 23 original tunes. Davis' written word compositions include Pianobabbler, his irreverent, urbane blog of musical musings.
Davis has also led ongoing jazz series: Ron Davis and Friends and Gate 403 Jam Session. Playing Along to Surpass is Davis' hand on and ears on workshop, where he teaches how to translate jazz performance techniques into business success.
Outside of music, Davis was an Assistant Professor in the French Department at the University of Toronto
from 1993 to 1998, and also practiced law until 2002, before focusing mainly on musicianship and composing. He’s published and edited numerous articles and books on music, linguistics and law.
Dreamstream as one of the "best undiscovered jazz acts" in the Canada, and was chosen as one of 10 pianists in radio JazzFM's "Flying Fingers" piano gala. His music has also invited comparisons with the great jazz pianist Art Tatum
.
Davis' 2005 CD Shimmering Rhythm received praise from music critics and fans alike:
Oscar Peterson
Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, "O.P." by his friends. He released over 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, and received other numerous awards and honours over the course of his career...
and Art Tatum
Art Tatum
Arthur "Art" Tatum, Jr. was an American jazz pianist and virtuoso who played with phenomenal facility despite being nearly blind.Tatum is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time...
. Davis has released seven full-length albums to date. His most recent, "My Mother's Father's Song," is his first all trio recording. A celebrated 1930's Polish song about Davis' maternal grandfather lends its title to the album.
Career and Musical Influences
Davis’ roots are firmly planted in strideStride piano
Harlem Stride Piano, Stride Piano, or just Stride, is a jazz piano style that was developed in the large cities of the East Coast, mainly in the New York, during 1920s and 1930s. The left hand may play a four-beat pulse with a single bass note, octave, seventh or tenth interval on the first and...
and swing, though he's retained a clean and straightforward playing style. He studied at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
before playing piano professionally in the 1970s, and studied with the late Darwyn Aitken, a student of classical great David Saperton and jazz legend Oscar Peterson
Oscar Peterson
Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, "O.P." by his friends. He released over 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, and received other numerous awards and honours over the course of his career...
. These early influences are still reflected in the style and tone of Davis’ musical creations.
Davis and his collaborators have performed all over the world, including Asia which he has toured four times. A jazz pianist in the solo tradition, he has also been featured as the opening act for jazz legend Dave Holland
Dave Holland
Dave Holland is an English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States for 40 years....
and his quintet. SymphRonica superimposes his unique brand of jazz on the traditional symphonic landscape.
As a composer, Davis released Rhythmaron: The Music of Ron Davis in 2008, a deluxe compendium of 23 original tunes. Davis' written word compositions include Pianobabbler, his irreverent, urbane blog of musical musings.
Davis has also led ongoing jazz series: Ron Davis and Friends and Gate 403 Jam Session. Playing Along to Surpass is Davis' hand on and ears on workshop, where he teaches how to translate jazz performance techniques into business success.
Outside of music, Davis was an Assistant Professor in the French Department at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
from 1993 to 1998, and also practiced law until 2002, before focusing mainly on musicianship and composing. He’s published and edited numerous articles and books on music, linguistics and law.
Critical Acclaim
Davis has garnered critical acclaim for his work, both in Canada and abroad. Davis was named by CBC'sCanadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
Dreamstream as one of the "best undiscovered jazz acts" in the Canada, and was chosen as one of 10 pianists in radio JazzFM's "Flying Fingers" piano gala. His music has also invited comparisons with the great jazz pianist Art Tatum
Art Tatum
Arthur "Art" Tatum, Jr. was an American jazz pianist and virtuoso who played with phenomenal facility despite being nearly blind.Tatum is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time...
.
Davis' 2005 CD Shimmering Rhythm received praise from music critics and fans alike:
Discography
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
| My Mother's Father's Song (2010) "Digging deep into a family's history and heritage can reveal a goldmine of inspirational nuggets." - Alain Londes, allaboutjazz.com. |
|
| The Bestseller (2008) "Splendid new recording... killer playing" - Errol Nazareth on 'The Bestseller' |
|
| Subarashii Live (2007) "Overall rating: awesome!" WholeNote Magazine |
|
| Shimmering Rhythm (2005) Jazz meets classical meets klezmer meets pop, and back to jazz again |
|
| Mungle Music (2004) One reviewer said, "... turns up the heat for Mungle Music without sacrificing the pure tone and harmonic clarity of his keyboards." |
|
| So Much (2003)' Nominated Jazz Album of the Year in the Canadian Music Week Independent Awards |
|
| SoloDuo Trio (2002) A collection, as the title says, of solo pieces, duos and trios, featuring San Murata on violin, Pat Wheeler on sax, and some vocals by Lori Cullen Lori Cullen Lori Cullen is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Her style draws on a diverse blend of pop, folk and jazz influences.Cullen's most recent album, That Certain Chartreuse, is an album of covers, featuring songwriters such as Bee Gees, Gordon Lightfoot, Suzanne Vega, King Crimson, Kurt Swinghammer and... |
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