He’s well known in trombone land, but lately I’ve been enjoying his latest, We See, and his recent Bluesthetic, the latter in particular, as it features guitarist Peter Bernstein. No other horns to hog the solo space on Bluesthetic.

I’m no expert and I’m listening on cheap buds, but it’s my impression that Smoke Session Records have done an exemplary job on the recording. The trombone especially sounds great on both.

The guy plays melody, a major accomplishment while surrounded by thousands in NYC who do differently.

He's always been one of my favorite jazz trombonists. Years ago I was in a jazz trombone group called Sliders, and we asked him to come play a gig with us, which he gladly accepted. What a pleasure that was!

One of my heroes - Steve Davis. When I was 19 or so, I was feeling down & out in Sam Ash and he came over, recognized me (not sure how!) and gave me some encouragement to keep going- very kind person. I modeled a lot of my career after him and Curtis. And, his records are flawless: tight ensemble playing, beautiful and interesting writing with his trademark in-the-pocket feel, ultra-sophisticated melodic choices over chord changes. The recording "Osteology" was my first album with him featured, and "Meant To Be" remains perhaps my favorite of his lengthy leader discography. Stevie-D!

Michael Dease