Steve Davis, featuring Abena Koomson-Davis

Widely regarded as one of today’s leading voices on the trombone. Steve Davis’s lyrical, hard-swinging style first gained him broad recognition, over a 22 album career Tonight, Davis collaborates with his wife, vocalist Abena Koomson-Davis celebrating their work on her first jazz album Where is Love (WJ3 Records, 2024), among other performances.

Steve Davis is widely regarded as 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 plays 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 31 year tenure at The Hartt School’s Jackie McLean Institute, University of Hartford, CT 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. Other prestigious educational affiliations have included positions at the San Francisco Conservatory, New England Conservatory, Juilliard School, UMASS Jazz In July, Jamey Aebersold, Skidmore, Litchfield & Stanford University Summer Jazz Workshops. www.stevedavismusic.com

Abena Koomson-Davis is a performer, educator and wordsmith. From jazz to afrobeat, acapella choral singing to spoken word, Abena’s work spans a colorful range of musical and literary genres. Abena originated the role of Fela’s mother in the Off-Broadway musical FELA! and reprised her role throughout the Tony Award-winning Broadway production. Abena is the founding musical director for the Resistance Revival Chorus, and her song “Joy in Resistance” is featured on their debut album, entitled “This Joy.” Abena’s first jazz album Where is Love (WJ3 Records, 2024) features acclaimed jazz trombonist Steve Davis, her husband and musical collaborator. Both are featured on Natalie Merchant’s album Keep Your Courage. Abena is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently serves as Ethics Chair of the middle school division at Ethical Culture Fieldston School, where she teaches ethics and social justice to middle & upper school students. 

Tickets Coming Soon