REVIEWS

“ For “Sound Bites”, Davey enlists area colleagues
including guitarist Chuck D’Aloia, pianist Jeremy Wall
(one of the founding members of Spyro Gyra), and
percussionist Brian Melick... the program presents a
variety of approaches due to Davey’s compositional
aims. Davey comes across as a confident player, often
preferring to make his mark as the foundation. He does
step out of his support role on several pieces,
including the solo piece, “Sound Bites II” and perhaps
one of the disc’s most interesting moments, “Udubop,”
a spunky duet between Davey and Melick. Davey also
takes a brief solo stint on the unexpected and winning
encounter with vocalist Lorena Guillén, the haunting
“Cenote Dreams.”....Melick’s percussion exploits might
be considered the most lasting moments of the disc,
particularly on the Latin blowout “Samba D’” and the
ECMish “A Peacock’s Tale,” with his udu adding a
unique sound to the performance.”

         - Jay Collins, Cadence Magazine, July 2006

. . . . .

“Upstate New York area bassist/educator John Davey
radiantly conveys his rock solid composing skills via
these impacting and quite tuneful jazz pieces. With
electric guitarist Chuck D’ Aloia providing a bit of
crunch, the quartet merely touches upon the
jazz-fusion element here. Davey’s booming bass lines
and organic tone provides the fluid bottom along with
drummer Brian Melick. Highlights abound in various
fashions, whereas Davey often harmonizes with pianist
Jeremy Wall to complement the soloists’ largely,
memorable two-way unison choruses...
Vocalist Lorena Guillen sings on one track (“Cenote
Dreams”) as matters become dreamlike and softly-hued.
But the group revs up the momentum with the following
walking-jazz/blues number titled “Tongue ‘n’ Groove,”
featuring D’Aloia’s ringing licks, spiced up with a
melodic edge. In other areas, the band morphs Latin
rhythms into mainstream jazz vamps while other pieces
are constructed upon capacious interplay and
hard-hitting choruses. However, what sets this
recording apart from many others of this ilk pertains
to motifs that impart a sustainable impression.
Therefore, the best of both worlds attain a happy
medium, as the artists’ enviable chops and
improvisational skills accentuate Davey’s high-caliber
compositions. It’s a musical scenario that should
appeal to a wide-ranging audience. (Recommended…)”

 – Glenn Astarita, ejazznews.com, July 2006

. . . . .

“Just about everywhere you look in upstate New York,
you’ll find great musicians in unexpected places.In
addition to Oneonta being the home of the great
saxophonist/clarnetist Al Gallodoro, it is also
homebase for the masterful double bassist, John Davey,
who teaches jazz at both SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick
College. Davey is a breath of fresh air to those music
lovers who yearn for something other than high volume
and a multitude of notes. His latest CD,
“Soundbites”, (Lil’ Pumpkin Records) merges a
traditional jazz quartet, double bass, piano,
percussion and guitar, with the sensibilities of a
chamber jazz group. There is no question who is the
leader on this beautiful CD. Davey’s mature, ethereal
sound permeates all the music here. He strains for
nothing. He lets the music -- all of which
hecomposed --speak for itself. While the title
“Soundbites” may give the initial impression that this
is a hodgepodge of music, all the songs here are of a
single piece. It’s peaceful and reflective, giving the
listener something to sink into slowly, softly. Not
an awkward or misplaced note to be heard. His band is
made of excellent musicians Jeremy Wall on Piano,
Brian Melick on percussion, drums and udu and the
fabulous Chuck D’Aloia on guitar. Adding even more
texture to the music is the lush voice of the
Argentina native Lorena Guillen on one cut. For those
whose taste runs more toward the classical in the
jazz-classical continuum, Davey’s earlier CD, “From
The Bridge”, (Lil Pumpkin) with a trio made up of
Davey on bass, Dennis Turechek on classical guitar and
Amy Merrill on viola is another worthy effort from
this upstate jazz treasure.”

-Jeff Waggoner, albanyjazz.com, January 2007

. . . . .

"John Davey is a melodic bassist as well as a fine composer...
'Tango' is a piece which suits the group (From The Bridge) well.
Davey's nicely conceived solo is followed by a virtuosic display from violist Amy Merrill...
The musical content has lots of value. The ambiance is friendly and intimate with very listenable results."

-Malcolm Creese, premiere jazz bassist in U.K., Double Bassist magazine

. . . . .

"Very cool and soothing...
this is a record that will take you away...
one of the best I've heard!"

-Derek Silvers, President, cdbaby.com

. . . . .

"Varied sounds and rhythms, creative musicians, intriguing compositions...
'SoundBites' is a special recording."

-David Friesen, international jazz bassist-comkposer-recording artist, Portland, Oregon

. . . . .

"Original and compelling music, reminding us what a wide-open world jazz really is
...successfully spanning many islands of jazz
...John Davey has a special way with the bass. Anybody listening to him working with his innovative
Central NY group The Bridge at the Syracuse JazzFest could tell that he has the right touch."

-Mark Bialczak, Syracuse Post-Standard

 

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