Distinguished trumpeter Michael Davison is a gifted performer, respected professor, published composer, and ethnomusicologist. Dr. Davison’s love of music has shaped his life and career. He is in demand around the world as a classical and jazz performer and educator. As a performer, he has given jazz and classical recitals all over the United States as well as in parts of France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Spain, South Africa, China and Cuba. Davison has recorded four jazz CDs as both a leader and sideman. His classical CD, Fenster, received rave reviews from the International Trumpet Guild Journal. Widely considered an expert in Cuban music, he performs and teaches Cuban music at the University of Richmond and worldwide. As a jazz musician, Davison has performed with the late tenor saxophonist and 11-time Grammy winner Michael Brecker, jazz trombonist Curtis Fuller and legendary Latin jazz masters, including saxophonist Justo Almario and pianist Arturo O’Farrill. He has also performed alongside some of Motown’s most iconic singers and groups including Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations and The Four Tops. As a classical musician, Davison has performed with Rhythm and Brass, the Wisconsin and Whitewater Brass Quintets, the Rochester Philharmonic, Wisconsin Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony. Davison has performed for Pope John II and George Leonard Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury.
Davison has published two transcription books on famed trumpeter Randy Brecker. Randy Brecker: Artist Transcriptions/Trumpet was published by Hal Leonard Publishing Company and The Music of Randy Brecker: Solo Transcriptions and Performing Artist Master Class CD was published by Warner Bros. Inc. In addition to transcribing, Davison has also published jazz and Afro-Cuban compositions with Walrus Music.
Along with producer Ed Tillett, Davison completed Cuba: Rhythm in Motion (available on YouTube), a documentary tracing the musical genealogy between Cuban rhythms and American jazz. The film has been shown around the world, including Spain, Australia, Cuba and Mexico. Their second documentary, The Sound of Santiago, is due out this summer. For over 30 years, Dr. Davison has led student and professional musicians to Cuba to perform classical, jazz, and Afro-Cuban music. Davison also produces a yearly show at the University of Richmond called The Cuban Spectacular. Tonight’s show will be the 19th!