Steve Davis - Meets Hank Jones, Volume 2 (Vinyl LP)

Steve Davis Meets Hank Jones, Volume 2 on LP

Recorded in 2008, Steve Davis Meets Hank Jones, Volume 2 captures a thrilling, intimate meeting between trombonist Steve Davis, legendary pianist Hank Jones, and bassist Peter Washington. The long-awaited collection reveals a more celebratory side of the session, with vibrant interplay, deep swing, and the spontaneous joy of three master musicians inspired by one another.

For many years after, and for a variety of reasons, Davis feared that the remarkable music captured that day would never be released. He kept a burned CD of the proceedings in his car for over a decade, a constant reminder of a beautiful collaboration. “That thing would sit in the glove compartment of my car, and I would dig it out when I drove from Hartford to New York. There was a long period of time that I thought, ‘Man, maybe I’m the only one who’s ever going to hear this.’ I’m so grateful to Smoke Sessions for putting in the work to resurrect it.”

Once jazz aficionados have a chance to listen, he won’t be the only one. From the bracing unison opening of Charlie Parker’s “Au Private” to the sprightly alternate take of the Rodgers and Hart classic “I Could Write a Book,” the album is a pure delight full of breathtaking interplay. Witness Jones’ keen-edged ferocity on Joe Henderson’s “Nardis,” Washington’s bold bass swagger on “Invitation” – the line a suggestion from Davis, who borrowed it from Rene McLean – or Davis’ tender melodic touch on “The Nearness of You.”

“It’s very meaningful and gratifying to see this music come out,” Davis concludes. “It was such a special moment. To me, this is cherished, sacred music.”