Steve Davis is widely regarded one of today’s leading voices on the trombone. Davis first gained widespread recognition with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (‘90) composing the title track of Blakey’s last album, One For All (A&M). In the years since, Steve has worked with a broad range of jazz luminaries such as Jackie McLean, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton’s World of Trombones, Cecil Payne, Horace Silver, Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, Roy Hargrove, Willie Jones III, Joe Farnsworth, Eric Alexander & One For All. Davis has also been a steady member of big bands led by Jimmy Heath, Ron Carter, Christian McBride and John Lee & The Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars. Steve has appeared on The Jimmy Fallon Show with Stevie Wonder and at The White House Tribute to Ray Charles (PBS).
Davis performs on nearly 200 recordings, including 20 as a leader. His latest release, We See (Smoke Sessions) features Davis in a live setting along with a stellar lineup including Eddie Henderson, Ralph Moore, Renee Rosnes, Essiet Essiet and Lewis Nash. The album has received extensive critical acclaim. Steve’s original composition Optimism appears on the McBride Big Band’s Grammy Award-winning release Bringin’ It (2018). Davis also received a Grammy for playing on Chick Corea’s Spanish Heart Band release Antidote (2019). Davis collaborates with his wife, vocalist Abena Koomson-Davis on her debut Where Is Love (WJ3 Feb ’24) which also features his son, guitarist Tony Davis. Steve & Abena appear together on Natalie Merchant’s 2023 release, Keep Your Courage (Nonesuch).
A long-time educator, Steve has guided generations of emerging musicians including a thirty-one-year tenure at The Hartt School’s Jackie McLean Institute, University of Hartford where he was honored as ’23 Alumni Of The Year. In Fall ’22, Davis joined the Berklee College of Music Brass Dept. as Full Professor.
