richard davis (rip, Hank Jones)

[lurk]

Hank Jones just died, so the radio is full of his stuff, and I just listened (again, I own it, and highly recommend it) to Lucky Thompson's Lucky Strikes, which has a great rhythm section of Hank, Richard Davis, and Connie Kay. Richard has always been a favorite of mine, but doesn't seem to be in vogue these days. I studied with him in the 70's, and once saw him play (as a sub) with the NY Phil (Lennie conducting) on a Sat. afternoon, and then play with Elvin that nite at the Vanguard. Not something many cats can pull off. At one time he was a top dog; people used to argue over who was the best post Ray Brown bassist, Richard or Ron Carter. What do you think happened? This sort of thing always interests me - check out the Charlie Haden debate.

[JimK]

RIP, Hank Jones...great musical familty.
Check out Richard Davis with Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band.
Not sure how to answer your question about Richard Davis...I know much of the early Jazz LPs I was buying in the '70s had Davis, Carter, or Brown on bass.
Interesting that all three of those guys also played some Fender Bass at that time.
I do own a Richard Davis book about walking bass. Back then, actual bass books were few...
Davis also played on some of Van Morrison's classic albums, IIRC.

[dougjwray]

I studied with him, too (double bass, in 1977) and I know what you mean. I even have a drummer friend who gets him confused with Art Davis every time I bring his name up-- it's been a joke of ours for years. It's crazy because, as you say, he was one of THE bassists in the '60s and '70s. There was even an old Downbeat interview with Ron Carter where Ron sounded like he still held a grudge against Richard for not calling him to sub more often when he (Carter) first moved to New York. :^0
My guess is that his move to Madison, Wisconsin in 1977 took him too far out of the spotlight. Also, he's a fairly dignified, reserved guy, not the type to draw much attention to himself. And we all know how important that is in the music biz.

[One Drop]

I used to see a lot of live jazz, and I think I saw him at Montreal jazz festival, can't remember who with, though.

I first noticed his name after being knocked out by his contribution to Van's 'Astral Weeks'.

[beggar98]

Originally Posted by JimK

Check out Richard Davis with Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band.

BIG +1. His playing on the Live at the Village Vanguard record is really great.

[deaf pea]

Originally Posted by dougjwray

...My guess is that his move to Madison, Wisconsin in 1977 took him too far out of the spotlight...

maybe so . . .

he's ALWAYS been one of my favorites . . . . . .

along with Scotty and Mingus . . .

[edwinhurwitz]

I love Richard Davis! I only got to see him once: UMass Amherst spring 1982. He played with Leon Thomas, Illinois Jacquet, Billy Taylor, Dizzy and Max Roach. Great show!