The VJC welcomes Steve Davis Sextet to perform on Saturday, February 13th in a concert celebrating the music of trombonist J. J. Johnson. Featured artists in Davis’s sextet include one of bebop’s foremost elder statesmen on the piano, Harold Mabern as well as the formidable tenor saxophonist, Scott Mullett. The other musicians who comprise this sextet include Josh Bruneau (trumpet), Harold Mabern (piano), Nat Reeves (bass) and Joe Farnsworth (drums).
This concert was originally scheduled to highlight saxophonist Eric Alexander who gracefully bowed out to accept an extended European tour. This turn of events has evolved into a wonderful opportunity for the Vermont Jazz Center whose audience will now experience the exciting repertoire and tight arrangements of J. J. Johnson, one of the greatest trombonists in the history of jazz, interpreted by an all-star band. Saturday Night Live trombonist Steve Turre put it succinctly when he stated:
J. J. did for the trombone what Charlie Parker did for the saxophone. And all of us that are playing today wouldn’t be playing the way we’re playing if it wasn’t for what he did. And not only, of course, is he the master of the trombone—the definitive master of this century—but, as a composer and arranger, he is in the top shelf as well.
This group has already performed this repertoire several times and recorded a soon-to-be released CD (with Eric Alexander) at New York’s “Smoke;” they will appear at the Jazz Center with local saxophone star, Scott Mullett.
Featured in this band is the legendary pianist Harold Mabern who has been described in the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings as “one of the great post-bop pianists.” He performed in the Miles Davis sextet for a 6-week stint in 1963 and toured or recorded with Cannonball Adderly, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Jimmy Forest, Grant Green, Benny Carter’s Jazztet, Betty Carter, Donald Byrd, Roy Haynes, J. J. Johnson, Sonny Rollins, Lee Morgan, Sarah Vaughan, Freddie Hubbard, Wes Montgomery, George Benson and many others. The influence of his Memphis neighbor, Phineas Newborn, Jr. remains noticeable: Mabern employs Newborn’s “manner of playing fast lines in a two-handed octave (or two-octave) unison, and uses this device in wildly imaginative ways.”
The Vermont Jazz Center will present the Steve Davis Sextet featuring pianist Harold Mabern and special guest, Scott Mullett at 8:00 PM on Saturday, February 13th. Davis will celebrate one of his main influences and one of bebop’s foremost trombonists and composers, J. J. Johnson in collaboration with the seasoned players who comprise his burning, New York-based sextet. The VJC is especially grateful to Janet and Jeremy Birch and a friend of the VJC’s Summer Workshop for their generous sponsorship; we are also thankful for ongoing support from the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Hospitality for our artists is provided by the Hampton Inn of Brattleboro. VJC publicity is underwritten by the Brattleboro Reformer, WVPR, WVEW and WFCR.
Tickets for the Steve Davis Sextet featuring Harold Mabern with Special Guest Scott Mullett are $20+ general admission, $15 for students with I.D. (contact VJC about educational discounts); available at In the Moment in Brattleboro, or online at www.vtjazz.org. Tickets can also be reserved by calling the Vermont Jazz Center ticket line, 802-254-9088, ext. 1. Handicapped access is available by calling the VJC.
Sextet w/ Davis and Mabern
Interview Mabern: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fco90G78AhM
Steve Davis other settings
Aebersold concert – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnyIpEbe5uU
@ Smoke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdgS_xw5-Tg
Harold Mabern Trio
J. J. Johnson videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVbY_cj94gg
Steve Davis Sextet Celebrates the Music of J.J. Johnson
Featuring pianist Harold Mabern and special guest, Scott Mullett
Steve Davis (trombone)
Josh Bruneau (trumpet)
Scott Mullett (saxophone)
Harold Mabern (piano)
Nat Reeves (bass)
Joe Farnsworth (drums)
