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| Biography: |  | Mark Davisis one of the Midwest's most accomplished jazz pianists, having performed
with
such jazz luminaries as Jimmy Heath, Frank Morgan, Brian Lynch, Eric
Alexander
and Jeff Hamilton.
He cites Bud Powell, Cedar Walton, McCoy Tyner
and studies with David Hazeltine
and Barry Harris as key influences on his
style.
He can be heard throughout Southeastern Wisconsin as a soloist and as
a member
of various groups, including frequent collaborations with saxophone
legend
Berkeley Fudge.
In addition to a busy performance schedule, Mr. Davis is an active
jazz
educator, serving as Chairman of Jazz Studies and faculty member at
the
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and as an instructor at Wisconsin
Lutheran
College and Cardinal Stritch University where he serves as Coordinator
of Jazz
Studies. |
Quotes from reviews:
"Mark Davis, a masterful pianist..."
"...is flawless and exciting."
Jim Adashek - Shepherd Express
"A treasure of jazz piano."
"Davis prodigiously adds modern harmonies and rhythms to standards."
Jeff Bentoff - Milwaukee Magazine
"Davis' technique and sensitivity show sophistication and maturity."
Joe Kutchera - Milwaukee's Downtown Edition
"...plays lyrical and confident interpretations of jazz standards"
"a great teacher"
Joe Kutchera - Shepherd Express
"Mark Davis is a skilled and fluid pianist...sophisticated."
"Bill Evans-like"
Gordon Spencer - Milwaukee Magazine
"The (Berkeley) Fudge / (Mark) Davis match-up is reminiscent of the
contrast
between (John) Coltrane and McCoy Tyner - Berkeley the more florid
soloist
with notes crowding the measure, and Mark with his bright voicings
and
expansive chord clusters that slowly build to climax."
-- excerpt from "Trane Stop" by Carol Klein
Milwaukee's "Metro" Newspaper
"Musically and personally, pianist Mark Davis - who composed this pretty
ballad
("Kathleen") - reminds me of his mentor, David Hazeltine."
-- excerpt from the WYMS Jazz Sampler CD liner notes
by Mike Drew (critic, columnist, WYMS Friends Board)
Mark Davis has appeared on the following recordings:
 | "Bird Say" - We Six
(Available for $15 plus postage from markdavismusic@yahoo.com)
Keeping the tradition of great jazz music that has come out of the
Wisconsin
Conservatory of Music, this debut CD from WE SIX was produced by Mark Davis and features three of Mark's compositions along
with 6 more original jazz compositions by Mike Plog and Paul Silbergleit. |  | "A Taste of Jazz in the Park 2005"
http://jazz.easttown.com/specials/cd.htm
This limited edition CD features one track from each of the 15
performing
artists (including Mark Davis with "We Six") that appeared during
the 2005 Jazz
in the Park season. |  | "Let It Go" - Jeno Somlai
(ISBN 2-8800740098-0 © 2004)
This recent CD by Milwaukee percussionist Jeno Somlai includes Mark's
piano
playing on one of Jeno's compositions "Libby". |  | "Bonifas Quartet" - Bill Bonifas
(ISBN 6-6618246504-6 © 2001)
This debut CD by Milwaukee guitarist Bill Bonifas spotlights Mark's
piano
playing throughout the album. |  | "The WYMS Jazz Sampler"
(WMYS WMYS196 © 1996)
This benefit CD for Milwaukee's Jazz Radio Station WYMS includes many
of
Milwaukee's talented jazz musicians and features Mark Davis'
composition
"Kathleen" as well as his piano playing on Paul Silbergleit's
song
"Silberglicity" |  | "Silberglicity" - Paul Silbergleit
(Silberspoon Productions SSP1001 © 1996)
This excellent CD by Milwaukee jazz guitarist Paul Silbergleit showcases
Mark
Davis' piano playing on all 11 songs and includes two Mark Davis
compositions
"Ociana" and "Kathleen" |
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