HOT JAZZ:
Mike Davis & the new wonders live at PSTJS on June 21
MIKE DAVIS & THE NEW WONDERS MAKE SEATTLE DEBUT AT PSTJS JUNE 21
By John Ochs
“Eloquent trumpet prodigy Mike Davis has a voice beyond his years on his instrument. His playing is imbued with the sounds of prohibition-era speakeasies, Hoovervilles of the Depression, and glittering jazz palaces of the swing era, creating a timeless cocktail of American music.”
“Mike Davis is the modern exemplar of New York style hot jazz. His brand of music is all about intention and class, striving for musical authenticity of the highest quality with every note. With his band of New Wonders, Davis not only succeeds at this, but manages to foster new growth and experimentation in the music while staying faithful to its roots and language.
Few musicians living today have that magical ability to write class original arrangements in the original styles of the heroes who inspired Mike and his musicians, all the while leaving room to capture and convey the existing chemistry of his hand-picked personnel. It’s music that speaks to everyone: so specific that the sharpest of jazz fans jump for joy to hear nearly forgotten sounds of old; yet sounds so infectious that anyone can jump and dance to their rollicking rhythms.”
For our June meeting, we are pleased to present New York-based cornet phenom Mike Davis and his New Wonders jazz band (West Coast version) in a performance for dancers and listeners alike. Along with Mike on cornet, the band will feature these familiar musicians:
Jacob Zimmerman, reeds
Christian Pincock, trombone
Arnt Arntzen, banjo & guitar
Alex Guilbert, piano
Jonathan Doyle, bass saxophone
Eric Eagle, drums
Davis was a member of the acclaimed Roosevelt High School Jazz Band in Seattle during its break-out years (2005–2009), when the band secured two national championships and a second place at the Essentially Ellington band competition at Lincoln Center. At the end of the 2009 competition, he was named the festival’s outstanding trumpet soloist. After graduating in 2009, he moved to New York City to attend the Manhattan School of Music, where he specialized in jazz trumpet.
On this trip to his native city, Mike is combining music with family. “My trips to Seattle are normally limited to visiting family. I wouldn’t bother playing music there at all if it wasn’t going to be a serious program. I’ve played with Jacob and Jonathan at several festivals, and with Arnt many times while he was living in New York. The rest of the band members come personally recommended. I’ve sent them all the New Wonders arrangements with my full bag of tricks, including vocals. We won’t be holding anything back.”
Surprisingly, this will be Mike’s first Seattle appearance leading a traditional-jazz band. He didn’t discover early jazz styles until he was about halfway through his college studies. By that time, he had become disenchanted with the college’s emphasis on modern jazz to the exclusion of the older music. Ashe told writer Brian Sheridan, “It was so slanted toward the idea that nothing matters before John Coltrane, I thought that I have to educate myself because this is not the whole truth.”
As far as early jazz musicians go, Davis says: “Louis Armstrong is a god. Jazz musicians are not allowed to not like Louis Armstrong. He was such a strong player. But I’m just as interested in musicians who sound different, like Bix Beiderbecke and Red Nichols.” So while doing his own research, Mike immersed himself in their music, including the recordings of such bands as the Jean Goldkette, Frank Trumbauer, Paul Whiteman, and the pre-swing Dorsey Brothers orchestras.
Our June band’s name refers to the Conn “New Wonder” cornet, the model played by Bix. A New Wonders concert delivers a meticulous, authentic immersion into 1920s and ‘30s hot jazz, blending historical accuracy with modern virtuosity and crafting arrangements that sometimes mirror the feel of a 78 rpm record. Expect high-energy “Roaring-20s” music, with fresh, surprising arrangements of classic tunes and underrated masterpieces. As Mike himself says, “This was dance music in the day when the Fox-Trot, the Baltimore, the One-Step, and the Peabody were the rage.” So dancers, bring your partners!
Welcome the summer in roaring style with the New Wonders! With familiar favorites and forgotten gems of the jazz age, listeners and dancers alike will enjoy this special program. Show off your swing skirts and Oxford shoes as we enjoy an afternoon of hot jazz! And bring a friend or two. Those under 21 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult paying admission. Everyone is welcome!
To read more about Mike Davis’ career, see Brian Sheridan’s Syncopated Times article
For a few short video samples of Mike Davis’ work and philosophy of music see: