RON DAVIS: Mungle Music

Ron Davis

Mungle Music

© 2004 Ron Davis (629256104524)

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A piano/bass/drum group that moves from hard swing to lyrical balladry- accessible, tight, fesh, crowd-pleasing. but not homogenized.

notes

Top 10 2004!
- Jack Chambers, CODA Magazine
- Fresh Air, CBC Radio
- Claudette Gravel, Radio-Canada

"Razor sharp swing merchants."
Steve Baylin - Ottawa Express

"A virtuoso."
Geoff Chapman - The Toronto Star

Influenced by the great trios of Oscar Peterson and Andre Previn, the Ron Davis Trio performs original songs and out of the way standards with a fresh energy that sets their sound apart.

There are also pop influences, which show up on the Trio's critically acclaimed recording 'So Much' (2003- Rosemary Lane / Cullinor) with vocalist Lori Cullen. "So Much' was nominated for Jazz Album of the Year in the Canadian Music Week Independent Awards. The Trio has also performed with Canada's top jazz singers- Sara Latendresse, Jennifer Ryan, Melissa Stylianou and Adi Braun.

The Trio is based in Toronto, but has performed at clubs and festivals across Canada, and Japan (January / February 2004.)

RON DAVIS (www.rddavis.com) is influenced by the Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson and Theloneous Monk. His music is rooted in swing and post-bop jazz.

In 1977 the Toronto Star wrote: "Ron Davis...demonstrated a thoroughly professional technique and the enthusiasm of a young Oscar Peterson." And the next year the Toronto Star had this to say: "Young Ron Davis captivated a group of fans with Tatum-Waller assaults on material ranging from Beethoven and Rule Brittania to Paramount On Parade... "

Ron began his career in the 1970's. He studied with the late Darwyn Aitken a student of classical great David Saperton and jazz legend Oscar Peterson. Ron also studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Ron has had other lives. He became a lawyer in 1984 and practised until 2002. In 1993 he got his PhD in French linguistics at the University of Toronto where he was Assistant Professor for several years.

DREW BIRSTON is a one of a kind bass player, with a rare gift for groove, swing, lines and melody. He is much in demand. Outside of jazz, Drew has toured with pop superstars Melanie Doane and Chantal Kreviazuk.

TED WARREN is quite simply one of the most original jazz drummers anywhere. His astonishing musicality makes him a favourite with players and audiences.

Special guest (4 tracks) alto saxophonist RICHARD UNDERHILL won the 2003 Juno (Canada's top award) for his cd 'tales from the blue lounge'. Richard was part of the popular band The Shuffle Demons for many years. He is now busy as leader of the Blue Rodeo horn section, and as a sideman.

reviews

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  • One of Canada's hottest acts in both bop and pop ... and it's obvious why.
    author: Editor- Download.com

    Toronto's neo-trad jazz Ron Davis Trio has been one of Canada's hottest acts in both bop and pop circles for many years, and it's obvious why. Offering the daring stabs of Monk and the lushly evocative swoops of Art Tatum, pianist Davis's bold runs crackle with confidence, and his flawless upright-and-drums backup illuminates every not

  • "An enthralling CD...A fabulous release!"
    author: Zeitgeist

    Ron Davis and his Trio take their influences from the great trios of Oscar Peterson and Andre Previn, and still manage to make their mark. However, they are not immune to the ravages of the last few decades and have a contemporary flavour as well, although never too far away from swing and post-bop jazz. Filled out by virtuoso performances from Drew Birston on bass, and Ted Warren on drums, this is a pure delight. A true renaissance man, Ron Davis is also a poet, short story writer, a Ph.D. in French Linguistics, and a once-upon-a-time lawyer, who has been performing since 1970. The original material is an absolute delight with “Blues For Suze” (courtesy of special guest Richard Underhill), a particular highlight. Although there are constant musical references to Art Tatum, this only adds to an enthralling CD. The other gem is Léon Durocher and Gustave Goubliers, “Hymne à l’amour” a remarkable love song, which simply leaves you gasping, wishing and wondering. A fabulous release.

  • Excellent CD
    author: Martin Wright- Radio 3ZZZ (Australia)

    Excellent CD, a tight disiplined trio with great handling of the material. Highly listenable. Good listener feedback.

  • An excellent cd
    author: Ricardo A. Perez- KSFR 90.7 FM

    Ron Davis trio's Mungle Music is an excellent cd. Their original songs and their standards that you will find in this cd are performed with this special "energy" that will hook you right away. I love Popeye!

  • Brilliant Album.
    author: Stanley Fefferman, The Live Music Report

    Brilliant Album. Introduced by two numbers written by Davis, the first declaring his strong left hand piano style, pronounced rythmn, lyrical melodic sense, lush chording in the solos. The second number, based on classical dance form of the 'bourrée, alludes crisply to Satie, preludes a generally allusive style throughout the album with references to ragtime, Waller, Garner, Monk and classical sources. Always witty and in good taste, full of humour and a unique sense of story telling, especially in the bluesy ballads, featuring the sax of guest player Richard Underhill. Davis works well with his partners, Drew Birston on Bass who gives bold punctuation to the pieces; Ted Warren on drums, who provides elegant decor with brushes and light cymbal work. Good mix of standards(4- including surprises--"Popeye the Sailorman, "Hymne a l'amour"), and 10 originals, well-paced from reflective to very uptempo, detailing Davis' virtuosity, taste, and knowledge of the piano.

  • High quality recording of some high quality musicians!
    author: Mike Furnish - CKUW-95.9FM Winnipeg

    Feedback and Comments: High quality recording of some high quality musicians.Great rythym section. I am looking at playing "Blues 54" and/or "Down By 3" on Jazz radio program in the next few weeks (and not just because it's CanCon!).

  • Trio buffs would do well to add this album to their collection.
    author: John Gilbert- All About Jazz

    Ron Davis and the trio have fulfilled a wish I have been waiting a long time to be consummated, namely, for someone to record the theme from "Popeye"..I have always thought this tune (Aptly titled Popeye) would be an ultra hip piece to perform. Ron Davis's solo lays on dead red all the way, his rapid fire ideas get off the ground and into orbit with delightful style and substance. Bassist Drew Birston's speedy riposte fits perfectly with the mood and drummer Ted Warren zips along in a timely manner, adding to the nice effect that this tune engenders. "You Make Me Feel So Young" shows the strutting side of this fine trio as they get into a melodic bag with Davis leading the way with a magnificent soliloquy. His band mates embellish this Gordon / Myrow standard in high fashion giving the familiar theme new life. On various tracks, Altoist Richard Underhill adds emphasis to an excellent recording endeavor by this stimulating ensemble.

  • This is a sizzling piano trio cd.
    author: Steve MacLeod CJSR-FM 88 (Edmonton)

    Ron handles every style with compelling dexterity. With the incredible Ted warren on drums and the solid bass work from Drew Birston, makes this wonderful music for any set of ears.Included in the "special quest" department is Juno winner Richard Underhill on sax.

  • Best of the best.
    author: Greg Sutton

    Four words.Best of the Best.

  • Ron Davis adds a deft personal touch
    author: Toronto Life - Stuart Broomer

    Pianist Ron Davis adds a deft personal touch to his mainstream vocabulary with sudden shifts in direction and compositions.

  • Turns up the heat
    author: Hour - Steve Baylin

    The Ron Davis Trio scored big with its 2002 sophomore release So Much, a quietly swinging set of reworked pop and jazz standards (featuring songstress Lori Cullen) that garnered a nomination for Jazz Album Of The Year at the Canadian Independent Music Awards. Davis - alongside Drew Birston (bass), Ted Warren (drums) and Richard Underhill guesting on sax - turns up the heat for Mungle Music without sacrificing the pure tone and harmonic clarity of his keyboards. The Toronto based pianist is a master of the musical rope-a dope: one minute he's gently caressing the notes, creating sonic bliss, and the next, he's ripping off rapid-fire runs that would make Errol Garner smile.

  • An enjoyable listening experience
    author: All About Jazz- Jerry D'Souza

    Having Art Tatum as an influence has been an a positive on Ron Davis... He now takes a bow with this third, a tight trio date. Davis’ compositions show his flair for melodic writing. The other tunes he chooses to round out this album have that attribute as well, and while melody is one facet the other factors contributing to an enjoyable listening experience are the tight weave of the group and a defined individual presence...

  • Music to sit up and take notice of!
    author: Jazz USA / Music Dish - Matthew Robinson

    ... It IS music to sit up and take notice of. From the peppy intro to "D'hora," Toronto pianist Davis demonstrates that he has his award-winning trio (Drew Birston, bass; Ted Warren, drums) well in hand... Davis makes good use of his own creativity and his talented team to create an album that should serve him well on both sides of the borderŠand beyond.

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