There are musicians whose fingerprints are all over the jazz we love, whose names surface in the liner notes of essential albums and in the memories of the men who made bebop what it is, and yet who never quite made it into the mainstream narrative.
Brett, thank you for a long overdue tribute to a bebop master of understatement in his group’s foundational rhythm section. He sort of reminds me of Jackie Bayard’s approach to forcefully shaping the unique background atmosphere and timing of the piece he was playing. It’s fitting that he be celebrated for his contributions to the music we love.
Thanks for remembering Walter Davis Jr. I saw him one night in a tiny Paris club with Pierre Michelot on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. What a blast! They made a record out of it, Live at the Dreher, which never made it to CD or streaming, alas.
He lived a floor above a Chinese medicinal herb importer's warehouse, making a trip up the stairs a redolent experience. I had the temerity to play my rudimentary version of "Ruby My Dear" for him and a couple of his buddies on the grand in that rickety-floored loft, and they argued among themselves over whether it was rote or real. He also showed up at my gig. He'd had an alternate career as a tailor, and was known for his quite tasteful suits and topcoats.
Kirk LIghtsey used to always come get me whenever Walter was playing at Bradley's. I was the jazz buyer at Tower on 4th & Bdwy and Kirk lived around the corner then. Walter actually used to come through with his daughter on Sundays at times, carrying her on his shoulders. Kirk used to say if you really want to hear what real bebop piano playing was like, listen to Walter Davis Jr. The last time I believe I heard him was in duo with Ray Drummond. An amazing week and they went through the book!!! Nothing but piano players in the place.
Brett, thank you for a long overdue tribute to a bebop master of understatement in his group’s foundational rhythm section. He sort of reminds me of Jackie Bayard’s approach to forcefully shaping the unique background atmosphere and timing of the piece he was playing. It’s fitting that he be celebrated for his contributions to the music we love.
Thanks for remembering Walter Davis Jr. I saw him one night in a tiny Paris club with Pierre Michelot on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. What a blast! They made a record out of it, Live at the Dreher, which never made it to CD or streaming, alas.
Thank you Bret for the post. No idea about Davis' music.
Humphrey Lives. ❤️
With Bebop, Bird, and Diz take up most of the air in the room. Thanks for shining a light on Walter Davis Jr.
Another bit of jazz history I was not familiar with. I love it that you give the uncredited the credit they deserve!
'Smake It
He lived a floor above a Chinese medicinal herb importer's warehouse, making a trip up the stairs a redolent experience. I had the temerity to play my rudimentary version of "Ruby My Dear" for him and a couple of his buddies on the grand in that rickety-floored loft, and they argued among themselves over whether it was rote or real. He also showed up at my gig. He'd had an alternate career as a tailor, and was known for his quite tasteful suits and topcoats.
1:30 dizzy’s band, knowing the book. Lee sitting in “howdy doody”
1:26 paris for a year. Bobby Jasper band. Making bobby stronger from them bombing him
1:21 blue note, school notebook tunes. Meeting Jackie. Not ready for record. Composing group.
1:13 hanging with Lee in the morning, colloquialisms
1:10 art Blakey in Paris playing for full theater. Not feeling well, has to play solo.
1:08 bud
1:06 bud singing lyrics to ladies. Davis plays buds compositions back to bud who has forgotten
1:03 learning directly from bud
1:00 organizing concert of buds music
:58 light shining through buds compositions
:54 making a bud band
:51 Eddie lock reminiscing of jazz gallery. « Best way is to do it »
Competitive attitude
:49 new interview Richmond born. Family of musicians and entertainers
:46 teachers classical music « classics »
:43 singing memorized records
:43 meeting buds father W.P. Listening to recordings of bud made by W.P.
:38 Davis goes to meet buds teacher . Remembering lessons with a Mr, Rollins
:33 going to New York /on the road while in high school
:31 hearing Donna Lee at a chicken shack, paying dues
:30 study Mrs reed in NJ, decides to play bebop
:28 sound masters band Al Armstrong had bird compositions
:26 watching concerts Blakey / Sonny duo
:23 Apollo with bird Lennie tristano opposite
:22 royal roost first time saw bud
:21 sound masters
:20 listening to bird after school « canned music »
:19 playing sessions
:18 clairemont ave /52 street
:16 blond guy from Canada organizing massey hall concert
:16 hearing max with benny carter
:13 max late to gig and happy after bird recorded with strings
:12 max’s dog chi chi
:10 travelling Gonzales? Sitting between bud and monk
:9 monk playing nice work fast « you dig »
:7 bud loved monk remembering records
:5 dances with parker opposite Latin bands
:4 remembering clubs
:3 lessons with Walter bishop, calling Sonny at all hours. Filling mouth pieces
:2 not enough opportunity now
:1 fats Navarro building 20 choruses
Clifford brown dorham monk playing changes
Kirk LIghtsey used to always come get me whenever Walter was playing at Bradley's. I was the jazz buyer at Tower on 4th & Bdwy and Kirk lived around the corner then. Walter actually used to come through with his daughter on Sundays at times, carrying her on his shoulders. Kirk used to say if you really want to hear what real bebop piano playing was like, listen to Walter Davis Jr. The last time I believe I heard him was in duo with Ray Drummond. An amazing week and they went through the book!!! Nothing but piano players in the place.
The interviewer on the KCR tape is Ted Panken, who I believe took over from Billy Banks who created "the Musician's Show" on WKCR.
Loved Walter Davis!