Richard Davis

Richard Davis (born April 15, 1930) is an American double bass player who has been a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 1977. Originally from Chicago, he first became known in that city before establishing himself in New York City for twenty-three years. He teaches bass, jazz history, and improvisation.

In the course of his career he has worked in both the classical field and as a jazz bassist all over the world, and has recorded extensively both as a leader and sideman. He has performed with many well-known figures in music such as Miles Davis, Eric Dolphy, Andrew Hill, Earl Hines, Dexter Gordon, J. J. Johnson, Van Morrison, Don Shirley, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Sarah Vaughan and Kai Winding: from the classical world with Igor Stravinsky (who reportedly admired his work) and Leonard Bernstein. Davis was the second African American to perform on his instrument with a professional symphony orchestra in the United States.

Davis is one of the most widely recorded bassists of all time. Among his most famous contributions to the albums of others are Dolphy's 1964 Blue Note LP "Out to Lunch!", Hill's "Point of Departure", and Van Morrison's legendary classic "Astral Weeks".

A long-time educator, Davis' most prominent former students are virtuoso bassists William Parker and Karl E. H. Seigfried.

On November 07 and 08, 2008 Davis will join with Van Morrison and Jay Berliner forty years after "Astral Weeks" was first released and play the album in its entirety. The two concerts will take place at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. A vinyl LP and CD will be released from these concerts entitled, "Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl". [cite web|url=http://www.vanmorrison.co.uk/?m=Content&Content(record_id)=18c5bf2122edaae32f5f9a622fb1e7cb|title=Van Morrison Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl|publisher=vanmorrison.com.uk|accessdate=2008-10-02]

Discography

With Andrew Hill
*"Black Fire" (Blue Note 1963)
*"Smokestack" (Blue Note 1963)
*"Judgment!" (Blue Note 1964)
*"Point of Departure" (Blue Note 1964)
*"Andrew!!!" (Blue Note 1964)

"'With Kenny Dorham
*"Trompeta Tocata"

With Freddie Hubbard
*"The Hub of Hubbard"

With Joe Henderson
*"In 'N Out"
*"Relaxin' at Camarillo"

With Hank Jones
*"Ain't Misbehavin'"
*"Arigato"

With Cedar Walton
*"Cedar Walton Plays Cedar Walton"
*"Spectrum"

With David Murray
*"The Hill"

Notes

External links

* [http://richarddavis.org/ The Richard Davis homepage.]
* [http://www.toruku.jp/kono-piano/en/ Japanese Jazz Pianist with Richard Davis.]
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