Ron Davis' "Symphronica" performance with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra was a real smash. He is a wonderful pianist, delightful, funny and an entertaining host. He breezed between French and English and kept the audience in rapt attention throughout. Ron had the right blend of standards and originals (which are all excellent) and judiciously mixed it up between swing, samba, stride, be-bop and gospel. The arrangements are superb and the orchestra really enjoyed playing the show. Ron and his band were easy (and fun!) to work with; definitely one of the most popular Pops acts we have had since I have been here!
- John Morris Russell, Conductor, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra / Windsor Symphony Orchestra
Ron Davis brought his show “Symphronica” to the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, and left with everyone’s heart in his pocket. He has an embarassement of musical riches in his fingertips and a non-stop imagination. With the addition of a set of excellent charts, he’s achieved the rare feat of bringing jazz to the symphony orchestra and doing full justice to both. When he wasn’t playing brilliantly he entertained the audience with endearing stories and left an indelible impression. This is crossover at it’s very best. It was a special event in our Pops series.
- Arthur Post, Music Director, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and the San Juan Symphony
Ron and his trio partners are fantastic musicians: first rate players, and great performers. Everything from the rehearsals to the show went smoothly, as though we had always worked together. Ron's music is engaging, at times profoundly reflective, at times flamboyant and energetic, but always sublimely crafted. The arrangements are top notch. Ron Davis is a wonderful pianist and a superb entertainer. He connected with the audience from the moment he stepped on stage, and kept people on the edge of their seat. I had so much fun that by the end of the show I was no longer conducting, but simply dancing on the podium!
- Maestro Stéphane Potvin, Conductor in Residence / Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra
Symphronica
"A virtuoso" - Toronto Star
"Ron is a brilliant, innovative Jazz Pianist, arranger and composer." - Kevin Canning, Cultural Officer, Embassy of Canada, Tokyo
Symphronica fuses jazz piano and the symphony orchestra into new, irresistible, music. Eight original works by celebrated pianist-composer Ron Davis, and four other pieces, make up Symphronica. The orchestrators of the music for Ron's trio and full orchestra are sensational emerging composers: Caitlin Smith, Jason Nett, Jeffrey Smallman, and Tim Berens.
Rich. Multi-layered. Not jazz with orchestral accompaniment. Not classical played in a jazzy way. Symphronica is tuneful and groovy music. It's the jazz trio integrated into the orchestral palette. Jazzfused new symphonic music.
Symphronica is different, but familiar. Concert music, but Popsfriendly. Rich, but entertaining. The audience will hear tunes presented innovatively, and still be able to hum them. For Ron Davis, it's a dream come true - building on his renown in jazz, while returning to his classical roots.
The 12 pieces of Symphronica are not the old warhorses. They're fresh tunes. Tomorrow's standards:
1.
Allelujah – (2222/4331/timp+2perc/str) – 6:00 - a gospel waltz with a majestic finale
2.
The Climb – (2222/4331/timp+2perc/str) – 5:00 - a swirl of energy over propelling ground bass
3.
Danza Daniela – (2222/4231/timp+1perc/harp/str) – 7:00 - a gorgeous ballad waltz, written for Ron's wife
4.
Dror Yikrah – (2222/4231/timp+1perc/str) – 5:00 - raw, Stravinsky-like, Sephardic
5.
Mache Dich mein Herze rein – (2222/4231/timp+1perc/harp/str) – 7:00 - a lush re-arrangement of Bach
6.
Pawpwalk – (2222/0221/1perc/str) – 6:00 - funky boogaloo
7.
Le Reel de Pointe-au-Pic –(2222/4231/timp+1perc/str) – 6:00 - the rollicking Québecois fiddle tune
8.
Rhythmaron –(2222/4331/timp+1perc/str) – 6:00 - a lightning fast barnburner
9.
Sashagraha – (2222/4231/timp+1perc/harp/str) – 6:00 - the Pink Panther returns
10.
Sergei's Shuffle – (2222/223/timp+1perc/str) – 6:00 - a brisk rhythmic shuffle
11.
Thomachonga – (2222/4331/timp+2perc/str) – 6:00 - big percussive Latin / samba rhythms
12.
The Way You Look Tonight – (2222/4331/timp+2perc/harp/str) – 5:00 - a bright version of the classic song
Ron Davis has worked closely with veteran conductor (Cincinnati Pops Orchestra / Windsor Symphony Orchestra) John Morris Russell on Symphronica. He is available to collaborate in performances of Symphronica. A full library of ready-to-play, bowed parts is available. No music need be rented.
Symphronica unites the richness of classical, and the energy of jazz. It caters to music-lovers eager for an experience both fresh and entertaining. Symphronica is a journey of enjoyment into new musical realms. It's what audiences have been looking for: new music they can enjoy, that will both satisfy and excite them. A sound new feeling.
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"...very well may be the most gifted pianist in Canada!"
"One of Canada's A-List pianists!"
Pianist, composer, recording artist, arranger, blogger and teacher, RON DAVIS has achieved international acclaim as a virtuoso of wide ranging talent. His music is rooted in the swing and post-bop traditions, influenced by Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson. Active and popular on the jazz scene, Ron has played across the world, including four tours of Asia. Ronis known as a dazzling musician and entertaining performer. His seven recordings have received extensive airplay, and critical acclaim."
Ron has seven internationally acclaimed recordings to his credit. The most recent one, Ron's 7th, My Mother's Father's Song celebrates a famous 1930s Polish song about Ron's maternal grandfather . It was recently profiled on national CBC Radio. Other recordings have earned "Best of the Year" accolades, and held #1 positions on the charts.
An active blogger, Ron's blog,
Pianobabbler (
pianobabbler.com), features his scintillating writing style blended with astute insights into music and issues. He also writes keyboard columns for Canadian Musician magazine.
Ron has also hosted and performed in several influential jazz series including
Ron Davis and Friends, and
Piano Masters at the legendary Old Mill Inn, and the weekly
gate 403 Jam session. In addition, Ron has established a successful series of business workshops,
Playing Along to Surpass (
playingalongtosurpass.com), which empower and enable busy workplace professionals to succeed through the performance techniques of jazz musicians.
Ron's community work includes serving on the Executive Committee of the
Glenn Gould Foundation Board of Directors. He is on the advisory boards of the
Jazz Performance and Education Centre, and
Reaching Out Through Music. He is involved in numerous charities, notably
Peacebuilders International, and
Feed the Hungry. He served as co-Producer of
Jazz for Herbie, an annual benefit the
SickKids Hospital Foundation, helping children all over the world in medical need.
Critical Acclaim
Ron's 2008 recording
The Bestseller, generated significant critical acclaim, including: "Splendid... killer playing!" –
Toronto Sun. No. 1 on Earshot's and
ChartAttack's national jazz radio charts. Best of 2008:
JAZZ.FM, Soundproofmagazine.
Subarashii Live (2007) is a nod to Japan, where Ron spent several months as a Visiting Scholar and an Arts Fellow. The CD reached number 1 on ChartAttack's national jazz radio charts. "Overall rating: awesome!" –WholeNote Magazine.
Shimmering Rhythm (2005) is a brilliant blend of jazz, classical, klezmer and world music: "A tour de force ten times over!" –All About Jazz, Top 10 of 2005 –
CBC, JAZZ.FM, CODA Magazine.
Mungle Music (2004) a versatile blend of Ron's own music, classical forms and standards, received wide acclaim: "A brilliant album!" –
The Live Music Report. Best of 2004 –
CBC Radio and CODA Magazine. So Much (2003) with singer Lori Cullen: nominated Jazz Recording of the Year for the
Canadian Independent Music Awards.
Cdbaby.com's "jaw dropping" front page choice.
"The artistry of Ron Davis is revealed not solely by his plavfulisess on the piano. but all the more by his creative decisions as leader."
Wholenote Magazine (February 2009)
"One of the city's most talented jazz composers and pianists."
On The Beat Diesel Jazz (November 2008)
"Exceptionally gifted and eclectic, Toronto pianist Ron Davis seems like the living incarnation of the perpetuum mobile, buzzing from flower to flower following his successive projects as they emerge, straight from the heart."
L'Express (October 2007)
"On every song of this new album, Subarashii Live, we hear Ron's great virtuosity, and he made sure to compose songs where all his musicians sounded their best! You must buy this CD!"
Radio Canada
For further information visit www.rondavismusic.com or email bookings@rondavismusic.com
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