Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Michael Davis - Hip-Bone Big Band: Open City

Michael Davis - Hip-Bone Big Band: Open City

By Jerome Wilson
July 20, 2023
View read count

Michael Davis

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Davis is an accomplished trombonist who has had a long career of live and studio work accompanying a varied roster of big-name jazz and rock talents such as The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan,

Bob Mintzer

saxophone
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Mintzer,

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, and

Sarah Vaughan

vocals
1924 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Sarah Vaughan. He is also an established solo artist and composer who leads an imposing large ensemble, the Hip-Bone Big Band.

The big band's second album is an exuberant affair which reflects the joy of getting back to playing live and recording with others in a reopened post-pandemic New York City. All the music on the album was written by either Davis or his son, Cole, who plays bass on the album. The instrument sections often play in unison blocks intricately fitted together which give off a joyful vibe that combines big swells of brass and reeds with subtly driving rhythms.

This shows on lively pieces such as "State of the Art" where the brass and saxophones dance over a tough New Orleans-inflected martial funk beat, powered by

Jared Schonig

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jared Schonig's drums, and the faster boppish groove of "Cat Walk." The arrangements are tight but they leave room for impassioned solos by trombonist

Marshall Gilkes

trombone
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Marshall Gilkes and trumpeter

Mike Rodriguez

trumpet
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Rodriguez on the former and saxophonists

Matt Hong

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Hong and

Sam Dillon

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Dillon on the latter. This approach is best realized in "Open City" itself, a tune where the instruments shout in bright cascades which gradually build in power and volume. The music is exciting but never out of control, with the solos of Rodriguez and tenor saxophonist

Troy Roberts

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Troy Roberts riding the entire band's surging energy.

The sax and brass sections fit together just as well on quieter tracks which feature excellent solo work. On

Cole Davis

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Davis' "Three And Out," the composer's bass leads the band in a graceful skipping melody which gives way to

Andy Ezrin

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Andy Ezrin's elegant piano solo. "Cole Henry" is a waltz which spotlights

Steve Wilson

saxophone
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Wilson's soprano sax, and Michael Davis himself solos over the mellow glide of "Underdog." "Ladybug" has a playful melody which slightly recalls

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance." It is executed with a cool, assured swing and contains more fine piano by Ezrin.

This album shows that Michael Davis is a force in his own right as a composer, arranger, and bandleader. He can find both fresh excitement and serene joy within the realm of conventional big-band jazz, something ably shown by the confidence and class of this album.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Hossland; Open City; Three and Out; Cole Henry; State of the Art; Underdog; Dark Horse; Ladybug; Cat Walk; Bone Man Walking.

Personnel

Michael Davis

trombone

Nick Marchione

trumpet

Andy Ezrin

piano

Steve Wilson

saxophone

Andy Snitzer

saxophone

Troy Roberts

saxophone

Charles Pillow

saxophone

Sam Dillon

saxophone, tenor

Frank Basile

saxophone, baritone

Tony Kadleck

trumpet

Scott Wendholt

trumpet

Manuel Maneco Ruiz

trumpet

Mike Rodriguez

trumpet

Marshall Gilkes

trombone

Ryan Keberle

trombone

David Finck

bass, acoustic

Cole Davis

bass

Jared Schonig

drums

Additional Instrumentation

David Mann: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute; Matt Hong: alto saxophone (2,3,5,9,10); Jim Hynes: trumpet, flugelhorn (2,3,5,9,10); Zaq Davis: trumpet, flugelhorn (1,4,6,7,8); Judy Yin-Chi Lee: French Horn (4,8); Bill Reichenbach: bass trombone. Steve Wilson: soprano sax (1,4,6,7,8); Andy Snitzer: clarinet (1,4,6,7,8); Troy Roberts (2,3,5,9,10); Charles Pillow: clarinet (1,4,6,7,8); Sam Dillon: (2,3,5,9,10); Frank Basile: bass clarinet; Tony Kadleck {1,4,6,7,8); Scott Wendholt (1,4,6,7,8); Maneco Ruiz (2,3,5,9,10); Mike Rodrigeuz (2,3,5,9,10); David Finck (1,5,6,8,9); Cole Davis (2,3,4,7).

Album information

Title: Open City | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Alan Ferber: Enneadic Endeavors
< Previous

Senza Reza
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.