Charles Davis

“Charles Davis is the kind of musician worth paying attention to: he owns the secrets of the past.”

Ben Ratliff, New York Times

"When Charles Davis played …it was if the sun had poked through on an overcast day.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer

“Charles Davis has a big husky tone worthy of Coleman Hawkins. His melodic embellishment of ballads made of them fresh statements of love.”

The Washington Post

“Charles Davis said so much on alto that he had the house in a frenzy.”

Jazz Spotlight News

“Charles Davis on baritone is a marvel, getting a gurgling darkly tinged sound while continually coming up with the unexpected musical turn of phrase. His tenor voice can be likened to Johnny Griffin’s, buoyant and medium-dark."

Downbeat Magazine

“Charles Davis’ saxophone made a burning sound and clipped phrasing, expressing the post war generation’s search for meaning and freedom.His unique sound varies according to the song:on ballads it is full and shining, on uptempo it narrows and has a compelling quality.His harmonic well (and use of effects) is diverse, but he never gets lost in outer space.”

New York Amsterdam News

“Charles Davis’ ‘Dedicated to Tadd’ is one of the most beautiful pieces of jazz writing I have ever heard."

Stanley Crouch, The Village Voice

“Charles Davis is one of those cats who speaks in eloquent phrases the whole history of jazz through his horn. His clear sound has evolved from yesterday’s more typical hard bop into a very silky legato, an extremely lyrical style of communication.”

Creative Loafing, Atlanta

“Charles Davis is surely one of the greatest interpreters on the saxophone.  His music seduces you to the bone.  He has an assured way about him with an original syle that seems to roll off his sleeve. He is one of the principal innovators of Afro-American jazz music.”

Sardinia (Italy) Newspaper

"Regarding your solo on “Body and Soul,” it’s the way every woman wants her man to make love to her."

Note From a Fan