Roger Davidson Trio

Biography

Roger Davidson, born in Paris in 1952 to a French mother and an American father, moved to New York at age one, where he grew up immersed in music. As a child, he befriended Chris Keane, son of renowned jazz producer Helen Keane, who introduced him to jazz through records like Bill Evans and Jim Hall's Intermodulation and sessions with Woody Herman. This early exposure sparked his lifelong passion for improvisation, though he initially pursued classical music, composing concert pieces. At Stanford University, jazz workshops with Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, and Jim McNeely deepened his interest, leading Helen Keane to produce his debut jazz album Ten to Twelve (2006) as a trio with bassist David Finck and drummer Dave Ratajczak on his own Soundbrush Records label, founded in 1998 and refocused on jazz and world music by 2002.[1][2][8]

Davidson's career evolved into a polymathic exploration across genres, blending cool jazz with tango (Mango Tango, 1995; Amor por el Tango, 2002), Brazilian music (Live at Caffé Vivaldi Volume 2, 2015), klezmer (On the Road of Life, 2011 with Frank London), and choral works emphasizing unity. His style prioritizes melody and harmony for improvisation, drawing from New Orleans Dixieland, bebop, gospel, and nature-inspired themes, often upbeat without descending into darkness. Soundbrush Records earned a Latin Grammy, showcasing his global roster and commitment to positive energy.[1][2][3][5]

Now based in upstate New York and San Diego, California, Davidson's legacy includes over 100 jazz compositions in his 40 Years of Jazz songbook, solo piano projects like Temple of the Soul (2014), and tributes such as We Remember Helen (2012). His work breaks genre barriers, uniting diverse styles while maintaining a focus on danceable, joyful improvisation.[1][4]

Fun Facts

• Received his first jazz record as a child from Helen Keane: Bill Evans and Jim Hall's Intermodulation, after attending a Woody Herman session with her son.
• Founded Soundbrush Records in 1998 initially to combine music and visual arts, later shifting to jazz and world music, earning a Latin Grammy Award.
• His 40 Years of Jazz songbook compiles 100 original compositions, emphasizing melody for improvisation across styles like Dixieland, bebop, and gospel.
• Lives in two nature-surrounded homes (upstate New York and San Diego), inspiring tracks like 'Country Drive,' evoking a fox-trot jaunt in an antique car.

Members

• Roger Davidson - piano
• David Finck - bass
• Lewis Nash - drums (drum set)

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Helen Keane - Jazz producer and childhood family friend who introduced him to jazz and produced his debut album (Ten to Twelve (2006)) [1960s-1980s]
• Stan Getz - Led jazz workshops at Stanford University (N/A) [1970s]
• Dizzy Gillespie - Led jazz workshops at Stanford University (N/A) [1970s]
• Jim McNeely - Led jazz workshops at Stanford University (N/A) [1970s]

Key Collaborators

• David Finck - Bassist in Roger Davidson Trio on multiple albums (Ten to Twelve (2006), Live at Caffé Vivaldi Volume 2 (2015, tracks 1-9,13)) [2006-present]
• Dave Ratajczak - Drummer on debut jazz album (Ten to Twelve (2006)) [2006]
• Adriano Santos - Drummer on live Brazilian jazz album (Live at Caffé Vivaldi Volume 2 (2015)) [2015]
• Pablo Aslan - Bassist on select tracks of live album (Live at Caffé Vivaldi Volume 2 (2015, tracks 10-12)) [2015]
• Raúl Jaurena - Bandoneón master on tango duet album (Pasión Por La Vida (2008)) [2008]
• Frank London - Klezmer master on collaborative album (On the Road of Life (2011)) [2011]
• Lewis Nash - Drummer on gospel-inspired track recording session (Dance of Faith) [1990s-2000s]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz