Steve Davis, We See Review

by Jeff Becker

With We See, trombonist Steve Davis pays homage to the hard-bop jazz legacy that shaped his career while keeping the tradition alive for new explorations. Davis’ story begins back in Hartford’s 880 Club, where he first shared the stage with Eddie Henderson—a formative meeting that would lead to a nearly four-decade partnership. Davis’ sextet lineup in We See highlights this history of friendship and respect, featuring jazz luminaries Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Ralph Moore (tenor saxophone), Renee Rosnes (piano), Essiet Essiet (bass), and Lewis Nash (drums). Each musician’s history brings elements of today’s straight-ahead jazz to this collaboration with Davis, giving the ensemble an unmistakable depth of shared experiences in the jazz tradition.

The album draws its name from Thelonious Monk’s iconic composition, opening a window to Davis’ appreciation of jazz’s rich traditions. The album’s setlist, including tunes by Miles Davis and Larry Willis, showcases the enduring influence of Davis’ mentors and his peers. From the bracing swing of Monk’s title track to the reverent reading of Willis’ “To Wisdom, The Prize,” Davis’ affinity for lineage and connection to jazz’s history shines through.

The opening track, “Milestones,” exemplifies the ensemble’s straight-ahead approach. Davis’ trombone voice echoes a lineage that flows through J.J. Johnson as Davis’ hard-bop phrasing during his solo is distinctly lyrical, warm, nuanced, and at times full of post-bop fire. Moore’s soloing is energetic, as his lines are a reminder of his earlier years playing with J.J. Johnson. Henderson’s trumpet is agile and phrased to impress. Rosnes’ creative solo adds a modern driving edge to the ensemble sound. Nash’s powerful drumming concludes the solos with liveliness and passion.

The rhythm section of Rosnes, Essiet, and Nash is one of synchronicity and deep listening. On “To Wisdom, The Prize,” their interplay grounds the relaxed straight-eight Latin groove. Rosnes’ piano solo is outstanding, drawing on the tune’s spirit while keeping the listener on their toes. Nash’s melodic and resonant drumming propels Monk’s “We See” into an energetic exchange of ideas between the ensemble members. His snare drum pops with excitement as he interacts with the soloist and Rosnes’ comping, forming an interactive bridge between rhythm and harmony. His shift from sticks to brushes and back again to sticks during Davis’ solo prompts the trombonist to match the change with a surge in intensity, exhibiting the kind of telepathic interaction only found in an ensemble with deep shared roots. Essiet’s warm acoustic bass is always in the pocket and following the harmonic explorations of the ensemble. “Ask Me Now” displays his focused and melodic approach to soloing.

Larry Willis’ “To Wisdom, The Prize” is a tribute to the late pianist, who played an integral role in Davis’ music. The sextet’s rendition embodies the respect that Davis and his fellow musicians had for Willis, as well as their collective command and expressive power of this style of jazz. It’s a fitting encapsulation of what We See represents as a whole: looking back to honor the past while using that legacy and language as a springboard into creative territory.

The album’s emphasis on the established jazz repertoire over original compositions highlights the strength of this ensemble’s shared experiences. Holding true to the well-known arrangements while adding fresh energy through inventive and spirited solos. The nuanced playing on “Ask Me Now” speaks to the group’s deep familiarity with Monk’s compositions, while “All Blues” pays its respects to the classic Kind of Blue arrangement, ending the album with an invigorating collective flourish.

We See revels in the power of live jazz and the enduring bonds between musicians who have shared a lifetime of music together. Steve Davis’ leadership is evident in his masterful trombone playing and his trust in his fellow band members, allowing each of them to shine in their own right. The result is a recording that is steeped in tradition yet alive with a living conversation among jazz masters, an invitation for listeners to witness the ongoing evolution of the music they love.