Roger Davidson

Reviews

Roger Davidson
Pensando in ti
Soundbrush Records

By George W. Harris

Pianist Roger Davidson's latest release features a seductive collection of boleros and rhumbas that will lull you onto the dance floor. Adding flute, guitar, trumpet and percussion to the standard trio, Davidson veers clear of making the music too complex; he allows the musicians, and therefore the music to breathe. At times simply featuring the trio, as in the seductive "Para Nosotros", he judiciously adds the other instruments to his wise discretion. "Mi Amor" subtly mixes Francisco Navarro's  gentle guitar with Marco Granados' sweet flute sounds, making them appear as dance partners, with their feet never leaving the floor. Kenny Rampton's wistful trumpet, caressing the hypnotic piano and drum work, elicits images of dimly lit dance floors. None of the songs are over played or rushed; this is music to be imbibed slowly, as is any romantic evening. Dim the lights, grab your partner, and sway across the floor.

CD Review:  By Dan McClenaghan

View the article here:

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=21871

The bare-shouldered, dark-haired beauty leaning on the balcony in a pensive posture on the cover of pianist/composer/arranger Roger Davidson's latest Latin music exploration, Pensando En Ti, appears to be “thinking of you,” with romance on her mind.

Of late, Davidson has explored various Latin genres: the tango, on Amor Por El Tango, and the bossa nova with his treatment of Richard Rodgers' music on Rodgers in Rio (both Soundbrush Records, '04). With Pensando En Ti, Rogers imernses himself in the bolero, perhaps the gentlest, dreamiest and most romantic of Latin sounds. The music sounds like a close cousin to Charlie Haden's classic Land of the Sun, with its beautiful, understated melodicism floating over the cool rhythmic burble of the bolero, a song style that originated in Cuba in the late-nineteenth century and spread throughout the Latin world.

There's nothing cerebral or challenging to the ear here, just a cool, seductive listening experience. These are the sounds of romance, suited well for a relaxing night with with a glass of your favorite spirits and the object of your romantic desire.

ejazznews.com

By John Gilbert

This is a nice easy listening recording of rhumbas and boleros performed by an exquisite group of latin stylists.

This album fits nicely into the category of mood setting music that is gentle on the ear and musically sound.

A New York 50's ambiance would be apropos to describe the feel of this music.

3 Stars

By Tom Ineck

A classical pianist with an eclectic interest in world music and Latin dance, Roger Davidson brings off this collection of boleros and rumbas with aplomb and sufficient authenticity to silence all doubters.

It certainly helps that Davidson has surrounded himself with superb musicians, including drummer Ignacio Berroa and bassist David Finck, in addition to flutist Marco Granados, guitarist Francisco Navarro, trumpeter Kenny Rampton and percussionist Pernell Suturnino. Together, they create the irresistible rhythmic drive and melodic romanticism inherent in these Latin song forms.

Recorded like a jazz album rather than a classical session, the mood is relaxed and the arrangements are uncomplicated, giving the musicians plenty of space to express themselves. For example, Navarro delivers a stunning guitar solo on the bolero “Somos Novios,” by the famous bolero composer Armando Manzanero. “La Gloria Eres Tu,” by Jose Antonio Mendez, has the muted trumpet passing the melody to the flute, then to Davidson at the piano. The flute and guitar improvise the introduction to “Mi Amor.”

Osvaldo Farres’ “Tres Palabras (Three Words)” was a rare hit for the bolero genre back in 1946, when the English version, retitled “Without You,” with lyrics by Ray Gilbert, was sung by Andy Russell in the animated film called “Make Mine Music.” Here it is accelerated to a rumba tempo, getting the respectful treatment with Davidson stating the theme, followed by an open trumpet passage and a stately piano solo.

Another classic of the genre is “Mi Dolor,” a tango written in 1931 by Carlos Marcucci. Here it is transformed into an intoxicating bolero for piano and guitar. Both bassist Finck and trumpeter Rampton (on muted horn) take exhilarating solos on the uptempo “Rumba Feliz,” with Rampton delivering an especially dazzling statement before Davidson wraps it up with a nice piano solo.

Davidson owes melodic and stylistic allegiance to Bill Evans, expressed here in his version of Armando Manzanero’s “Esta Tarde Vi Llover,” which Evans recorded in its American version, “Yesterday I Heard the Rain.”

Davidson himself penned nine of the 14 tunes here, proving his affinity for the rumba and bolero. The similar song forms provide the perfect vehicles for his lyrical keyboard style.

Bruce Crowther http://www.swing2bop.com

The first  of these CDs is a relaxed and very pleasing 2003 set on  which Roger Davidson offers some Latin-tinged takes on  classic music from the pen of Richard Rodgers. Sometimes  solo, sometimes in duo with bassist David Finck, and also  in a trio with percussionist Paulo Braga, Roger pays  respectful tribute to the composer, while simultaneously  displaying his own inventiveness. Among the songs Roger  has selected are 'My Romance', 'Lover', 'If I Loved You'  and, aptly enough, 'The Sweetest Sounds'. This music has  been around long enough to be considered timeless;  Roger's treatment will help ensure that it continues to  live for many more years.

The  second CD is mostly of Roger's own compositions and very  good they are too. Once again bassist David Finck is on  hand and so too is drummer David Ratajczak, while  percussionist Charles Descarfino joins the trio on two  tracks. Although recorded back in 1991, this set is  released now, late 2005, for the first time. It has been  well worth the wait. The third CD is mostly originals by Roger and the dominant theme is the bolero. Backed by the bass of David Finck and Ignacio Berroa's compelling percussion, Roger also benefits from contributions by guitarist Francisco Navarra, flautist Marco Granados, trumpeter Kenny Rampton and additional percussion from Pernell Saturnino. The whole is another fine example of this pianist's wholly admirable embracing of the music of Latin America.

Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
June 4, 2006

This is a seductively enchanting CD with “must-hear-again” danceable tracks, also well suited to easy listening and romantic dinners. Davidson is well versed in the Latin genre, and his rumbas, cha-chas, and bossa novas, include exotic percussion, muted trumpet, surreal flute, authentic guitar (Francisco “Pancho” Navarro is renowned in the Argentine Tango community), supportive bass and drums, and, of course, Davidson’s warm piano solos and accompaniment. Every track in this recording is unique, with Davidson’s compositions, plus those of his Latin American favorites.

Notable tracks:

#3 –Somos Novios – Composed by Armando Manzanero. Davidson leads on solo piano, extending this sultry rumba with its heart-rending melody and unsung lyrics. Navarro follows with a scintillating interpretation, drawing the listener in, as Davidson repeats his lead and fades out with slow rhythms. Bass and drums are prevalent in the background.

#7 –Tres Palabras – Composed by Osvaldo Farres. This upbeat cha-cha or bossa nova (depends on the dancer’s choice) has strong rhythmical effects. Davidson leads, before Rampton takes the theme in muted repetitions. Rampton’s trumpet vibrates on a single note, before Davidson returns with syncopated chords.

#10–Rumba Feliz – Composed by Roger Davidson. This original rumba has Cuban style and instrumentations. Berroa and Saturnino figure strongly with numerous percussive ornaments. Finck also takes a bass solo with buoyant breeziness, followed by Rampton on a full-out trumpet lead.

#14 –Pensando en Tí – Composed by Roger Davidson. This original rumba is slower than that in track #10, more soulful and textured. Granados takes a fluttery flute solo, and the song exudes an airy, dreamlike tone. Drums and percussion take active roles, as Davidson and Granados carry the title theme through the finale