Blue Gardenia
Charles Davis | Reade Street Records
Charles Davis is one of those musicians who has capably plied his craft for over 50 years, working
alongside disparate characters like Sun Ra and Thad Jones while garnering little or no commercial
recognition for his meager but excellent output as a leader. On Blue Gardenia everything
about Charles Davis and his playing smacks of hard bop from the '50s and '60s. What kind of sound
does he have? Imagine if Dexter Gordon had played baritone saxophone rather than tenor. That is
what Charles Davis sounds like. Now, also imagine if Harry Carney played tenor rather than
baritone and that is also what Charles Davis sounds like. It is this special dichotomy that best
describes this veteran's formidable tone and considerable talent.
"Beautiful Friendship" and "Texas Moon" demonstrate the huge universe
of Mr. Davis' tone. At 70, he blows with more conviction and experience than most horn players half
his age. Davis finds an empathic soulmate in the exquisite pianist Cedar Walton, who blends well
with the leader's muscular sound. Bassist Peter Washington and drummer Joe Farnsworth round out
the superb rhythm section backing the saxophonist. Straightahead saxophone jazz rarely gets better
than this.
