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Richard Davis (Jazz)
Biography
A superb bass technician who doesn't have as extensive a recorded legacy as expected, Richard Davis has a wonderful tone, is excellent with either the bow or fingers, and stands out in any situation. He has been a remarkable free, bebop and hard bop player, served in world class symphony orchestras, backed vocalists and engaged in stunning duets with fellow bassists. He does any and everything well in terms of bass playing; accompaniment, soloing, working with others in the rhythm section, responding to soloists, or playing unison passages. He combines upper register notes with low sounds coaxed through the use of open strings. Davis studied privately nearly 10 years in the '40s and '50s, while also playing with Chicago orchestras. He played with Ahmad Jamal, Charlie Ventura, and Don Shirley in the early and mid-'50s, then worked with Sarah Vaughan in the late '50s and early '60s, as well as Kenny Burrell. Davis divided his duties in the '60s between recording and performing sessions with jazz musicians and freelance work with symphony orchestras conducted by Leonard Bernstein and Igor Stravinsky. He recorded often with Eric Dolphy, including the unforgettable dates at the Five Spot.
Selected Discography