Al Davey's High 5

Historical article recovered from a Wayback capture dated 2018-02-24.

Al has been a highly regarded professional trumpet player in Sydney for 20 years. Originally from Melbourne with brass band and traditional jazz roots he arrived in 1986 to do the Conservatorium jazz course. Studying under James Morrison, Roger Frampton, Paul McNamara and Judy Bailey etc he developed a firm grounding in the more modern styles of jazz. With recognition as one of the truly versatile musicians in Sydney, Al is at home playing authentic ‘trad’ jazz, be bop and beyond, Latin, and is an established lead trumpeter in big band sections. He has recently independently released his first CD ‘Sleeping in’, stylistically in tribute to his traditional roots but plans to leap ahead many years for his next recording coming very soon. More information is available on his

website.

1. FREDDIE HUBBARD - Adelaide 1983

The most memorable gig I ever witnessed was Freddie Hubbard. I’d just joined the 3MD Melbourne Army Band and we were in Adelaide for a few days. The ‘jazz heads’ in the band told me Freddie was playing that night. “Freddie who?” I replied. I’d never heard of him or heard any live contemporary jazz so I didn’t understand a thing he was playing, but the shear power and audacity of this bear of a man blew me away. I likened this experience to people hearing a young Louis Armstrong for the first time in the early thirties.

2. BOB BARNARD at the Melbourne Jazz club, 1984

Accompanied by Neville Stribling and Ade Monsbourgh who both played riffs all night behind Bob’s beautiful lyrical soaring cornet. Magical!

3. JAMES MORRISON – Tivoli Jazz Club, Copenhagen July 23 1987

Ones debut hearing of James is like ‘What the ’. He was booked into the Tivoli Jazz Club (part of a giant amusement park) for two nights. I missed the first night as I was checking out the park. James’ audience was small on the first night but word had got around and the second night was full, with many musicians who had bought their horns. I’d heard James countless times so it was interesting seeing the reaction of the locals. James fires under pressure and it was ‘take no prisoners’. As the night wore on the locals drank heavily in disbelief, and all horns were pushed securely under seats. The encore was a beautifully executed left hand piano/ right hand flugal ballad that reduced some of the audience to tears.

4. JOE COCKER at the Festival Hall Melbourne, Oct 1972

Joe had been arrested in Adelaide for possession of marijuana and was facing deportation, so they squeezed his last two concerts into one night. I was 14 but still got to the 2nd (midnight) concert. Not having any weed and probably totally pissed off, Joes other vice; ‘alcohol’ came to the fore. Joe was introduced and staggered to centre stage. With a dozen cans of Fosters at his feet and bottles of spirits strewn around on amps, he swayed during solos to any bottle and glugged heartily. Miraculously he reeled back to the mike just in time; every time, to deliver. And he DELIVERED!

5. NICK HEMPTON at the Unity Hall Hotel Balmain, Jan 8th 2006

Guesting with the Dan Barnett Big Band. His solo on ‘Apple honey’ – astonishing! This guy has the whole package!