World-renowned trombonist, bandleader and educator Michael Davis will return to SUNY Oswego on May 6 and 7 to share his talents with the campus and community in two concerts and a jazz clinic.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Michael back to SUNY Oswego to work with our students in a variety of settings,” said music faculty member Eric Schmitz, who serves as Davis’ host. “He will present a clinic with our jazz students (open to the public) and two performances, one with our faculty group, Oswego Jazz Project (including a pre-concert talk) and one with our student jazz groups, featuring Michael and his compositions/arrangements with the Oswego State Jazz Ensemble.”

The concert with the Oswego Jazz Project, the university’s faculty jazz combo, will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, in the recently renovated Hewitt Hall ballroom. He also will give a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m.

The following night, 7:30 p.m. on May 7, Davis will perform with SUNY Oswego’s student jazz ensemble, also in the Hewitt ballroom.

Both concerts are free and open to the public, with a suggested donation for the Oswego Jazz Project concert to benefit the SUNY Oswego Music Excellence Fund.

In addition, Davis will provide a clinic to Oswego jazz students from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on May 6 in the Hewitt ballroom. The event is free and open to the public to attend.

Schmitz noted that Davis is “a world-class trombonist” who has been featured with such artists as the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich and many others, and “a top-call recording artist featured on hundreds of albums.”

Man of many talents

Schmitz added that the multi-talented Davis is “an accomplished composer/arranger of music for big band, small group and brass ensembles; a bandleader of his own star-studded New York City-based Hip-Bone Big Band; a passionate educator who travels the world giving clinics and performances with groups of all ages; and the founder of a visionary publishing/production company (Hip-Bone Music) that allows him to share his unique approach to brass education and creative musical expression with students, professionals and music lovers around the world.”

Davis most recently visited SUNY Oswego in 2013, and Schmitz looks forward to the trombonist again providing guidance and knowledge to student musicians.

“Members of the Oswego State Jazz Ensemble have been working hard all semester to prepare Michael's challenging and delightful music, and the Oswego Jazz Project is very much looking forward to playing with Michael again,” Schmitz said. “These are two performances you will not want to miss!” 

Davis’ musical talent, knowledge and range of experiences will make for a very fruitful visit for the campus and community alike, Schmitz said.

“Michael has shared the stage and recording studio with many of the best performing artists of the 20th and 21st centuries,” Schmitz noted. “His first-hand knowledge of styles ranging from big band swing to the grittiest rock 'n’ roll makes him an ideal guest –- someone who will share his amazing artistry, wisdom and positive energy with our students, campus and community.”

For more information or to request accommodations to attend, email ttucker@oswego.edu.