Ron Davis newsletter

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W E L C O M E!

Ron's Biz Workshop:
Playing Along to Surpass

APRIL 1 2007

BACK FROM JAPAN
Ron recently returned from two and a half months in Japan as Visiting Scholar at Tokyo's Hosei University. The stay coincided with the Uchida Fellowship awarded to him by The Japan Foundation. This was Ron's third trip to Japan, and he is developing a loyal following in this jazz-loving country.

Being the versatile person he is, Ron could not limit his Japanese activities to the academic world. He just had to play music. This included a concert / lecture at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, with celebrated jazz writer Jack Chambers. The pair spoke on the history of jazz piano, which Ron then illustrated with his own playing.

Ron also performed with Hosei University's crack student big band. At the end of the evening, the students all gathered around Ron, bowed, threw their hands in the air, and shouted "Banzai!" ("Long Life! / Hurrah!" in Japanese.)

Ron had the experience of attending sold-out concerts of two Canadian singers: Sophie Milman in Yokohama, and Holly Cole at Tokyo's famous Blue Note club. It was a thrill for Ron to see these talented Canadian women perform in another country, and then to hang out with his fellow jazz musicians, half way across the world.

PLAYING ALONG TO SURPASS
Ron brought his Playing Along To Surpass business workshops to the top last January: the Global Leadership Summit of the Young Presidents' Organization.

Over 1300 international CEOs gathered in Toronto, to network, and to meet with world business leaders, as well as Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf.

Playing Along To Surpass capitalizes on Ron's background as a lawyer, Bar Instructor, Ph.D. in French linguistics, Professor, and musician. The Playing Along To Surpass interactive workshops use the jazz trio as a metaphor for the business world, to demonstrate team building, leadership skills and how an improvisational approach can lead to creative solutions. Ron involves participants actively. When they leave, they not only have a model they can use in business. They also have had a good time.

Details: www.playingalongtosurpass.com

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
We're proud to announce Ron's new management partnership with Evelyn Cream of Athena Music International, whose current roster includes guitar great Pierre Bensusan.

Evelyn has years of experience in varied areas of the music industry, from jazz, to classical, to rock. She's worked with many wonderful artists including, Canadian rock trio, Rush, British 60's legends The Yardbirds, and classical sensation The Three Tenors. In the jazz world, many musicians have benefited from Evelyn's marketing, publicity and organization talents, including jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Dave Brubeck. Evelyn was also President of the All-Canadian Jazz Festival, in Port Hope.

BIG PLANS
2007 is looking to be an exciting year. Ron will be releasing a live quintet recording in a few months. Tour dates as well as several new recording projects will also be announced. And there's already big news for 2008. But you'll have to keep reading RonDavisNews or www.rondavismusic.com to find out what it is.

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RON DAVIS AT PAUL HAHN'S
Ron gave an intimate and exclusive solo recital at Toronto's historic Paul Hahn Pianos last March. (Photo: James Ramsay)