I don't know what some of you favorite things are but, if you just take 5 of your top picks for bass players, I'm sure that the good Dr. Art Davis will be on your list. From the sounds of Brubeck to Trane to Lloyd to Parker and back to Davis, Dr. Art and his quartet produce a sea of people at the Friday night summertime place for jazz music in LA, LACMA!

Cool, poised and laid back with a wealth of confidence, knowledge and artistic talent, Dr. Davis proceeded to play some of the most lyrically beautiful lines and chord progressions on his instrument. In this situation Psychology and Bassology go hand in hand. Both cerebral and technical in nature, the two studies blend together perfectly to produce a sound that is well formulated and you know that each note played is rich with meaning and intent.
Dr. Art Davis Video

Dr. Davis is living, breathing jazz history. When you mention names like Art Blakey, Max Roach, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Quincy Jones and Sonny Stitt not to mention Dizzy Gilespie and John Coltrane, nothing else need be said. Greatness is in our presence and we need to listen to every word as well as every note.

Terence Martin Video

Also being an educator of the music, Dr. Davis shares his stage with students as well as veterans of the music. From the corners of 43rd and Degnan, the musical epicenter in Los Angeles, many talents emerge. Terence Martin, the 24 year old alto player, displays his talents as he cognitively and creatively compliments the jazz masters who have walked the earth before him. Looking at times like a much more handsome Charlie Parker, Terence, momentarily off the road with Snoop Doggy Dizog(slang for dog), has lost his dreads for a cleaner cut while maintaining his maturing sound.
Bobby West Video

Bobby West is one very talented pianist. He must have McCoy and Tapscott running though his veins. His melodies, while particularly his own, are wonderfully creative and flow with ease as he supports, compliments and takes charge of the music. And, from one of the most legendary jazz families in the business, Tootie Heath on drums! My first gig as an MC with the jazz station was on a jazz caravan at the Belage Hotel with Tootie. I made the mistake, at that time, of calling him by his full name Albert "Tootie" Heath. He said that no one has called him Albert since his mother! Everyone may have laughed at the joke, but when he started to play, people were enamored at his style and sensitivity on brushes. Well he pulled out the same eloquence as he soloed and complimented with rhythmic time using tender brushes and filling the space with the sound of masterful experience!
Tootie Heath Video

The sound at LACMA this week was not the best so you had to pay close attention to get the nutrients from the music.Dr. Davis plays with such intimacy. No tricks, just a precision solid sound that is wonderfully intoxicating. When he pulls out his bow, you feel the emanating loveliness soar and make its way into your soul. From innovative standards to dimensions off the planet, Dr. Art Davis and his quartet capture the energy of the audience, mold it and re-create a sound that is perplexingly intricate and simplistically beautiful. That is what happens when "Everybody's Doin' it" right!

LeRoy Downs
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