Tone Paintings (MCG Jazz)
Craig Davis
Released July 29, 2022
DownBeat Four-and-a-Half-Star Review
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ma4KcF1_raw0GayIsnlO3o8gVA0YatoEw
Spotify:
About:
The music of the mysterious Dodo Marmarosa finds new life in this recording by jazz pianist, arranger, composer, and educator Craig Davis. Joined by John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums and recorded in Los Angeles where Dodo found his voice in the progressive form of jazz, bebop, Tone Paintings combines masterful compositions with contemporary arranging and exquisite soloing from three Masters of Jazz.
Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa, bebop pianist, composer and arranger who retreated to his childhood home in Pittsburgh after years of touring with several major big bands, including those led by Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, and Artie Shaw and recording with leading bebop and swing musicians, including Howard McGhee, Charlie Parker, and Lester Young, as well as leading his own bands in the 1940s due to mental health issues.
MCG Jazz is a social enterprise of Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, a subsidiary of Manchester Bidwell Corporation, a non-profit arts and learning center in Pittsburgh, PA. MCG Jazz supports its mission to preserve, present, and promote jazz through its annual subscription concert series, dedicated to hosting the world’s finest jazz musicians; a specialty, jazz recording label; and a multi-faceted educational outreach program that reaches thousands of music lovers and students locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Track Listing:
1. Mellow Mood (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 6:22
2. Dodo’s Bounce (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 6:13
3. Dodo’s Blues (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 6:08
4. Escape (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 2:53
5. A Ditty For Dodo Craig Davis) 4:03
6. Opus No. 5 (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 3:57
7. Compadoo (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 4:12
8. Dary Departs (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 4:12
9. Tone Paintings I (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 3:26
10. Battle Of The Balcony Jive (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 3:13
11. Dodo’s Lament (Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa) 7:06
Personnel:
Craig Davis: piano
John Clayton: bass
Jeff Hamilton: drums
Recorded May 1 & 2, 2021 at Tritone Studios by Talley Sherwood
Mixing and Mastering: Jay Dudt
Cover Art and Design: Jeff O.Brien Myers
Layout: Jim Manly at Red Caiman Media
Photography: John Clayton
Producer: Marty Ashby
Associate Producer: Renée Govanucci
Review:
Dodo Marmarosa (1925–2002) was one of the top bop pianists of the 1945–’50 period before mental problems forced him into semi-retirement. While acclaimed for his playing, one does not think of Marmarosa as being a major composer; none of the songs that he wrote for his record dates ever caught on or were even published. However, pianist Craig Davis on Tone Paintings, with the notable assistance of bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, successfully revives 10 of Marmarosa’s obscure songs while contributing his own ballad “A Ditty For Dodo.” Davis, who like the older pianist is from Pittsburgh and toured with the Artie Shaw Orchestra (a ghost version in which he played some parts originally written for Marmarosa), has a complementary boppish style and displays obvious affection for the material, much of which he had to transcribe.
Scott Yanow (DownBeat)
