Massachusetts native and recent NYC resident trumpet phenom David Neves has been a constant sonic inspiration for me. I’ve been lucky enough to track his progress since I first heard him play at Wally’s about five or six years ago. And he comes down often so its been that much more pleasurable to experience his progress week in and week out. I often hire him to play in my band because I love the sound of the trumpet, especially when it’s in Dave’s hands, lol!!! If you ask me he should have been in the Monk Semis in LA in 2014. Here’s what Dave had to say after hearing with test:
Example 1-Dave Douglas Live at R-bar
I think this may be Dave Douglas? There are points of this solo where it sounds exactly like him, but there are also other parts where he plays things not really characteristic of his playing. To me, his inflections are Dave Douglas-ish though.
Example 2-Wynton live with Freddie Hubbard NYC
I’m really unsure of who this is. There’s points where it sounds like Freddie, but that would be too obvious. It’s not, but I can’t tell who it is. This is a good example though of a trumpet player who has a similar to other trumpet players (Freddie in this case).
Example 3-Ryan Kisor Live in Japan
To me, this sounds like Lee Morgan. His feeling and time-feel and ideas all scream Lee to me (in the beginning). However, the lines he plays about a minute into the solo start getting a Woody Shaw sound definitely. I can’t tell.
Example 4-Tom Harrell with Johnathan Blake
This is definitely Tom Harrell. Everything about this is Tom Harrell. He’s one of my favorite players. The space he leaves, his time-feel and his sound. Also whenever he plays anything, it sounds like he’s constantly searching for something different, but still with a melodic sense.
Example 5-Keyon Harrold live in NYC
In the beginning, I thought this might have been Roy Hargrove. I really can’t tell who it may be. It sounds like a younger trumpet player. Has so much fire and some awesome, and creative ideas. I just don’t know, but I wish I could play “One Finger Snap” like that. Then end when he’s holding the long notes out, it sounds like Nicholas Payton.
Example 6-Christian Scott Live at the R-Bar
Again, I can’t really tell who this is. Again, there’s some points where they sound a bit like Roy Hargrove, but there’s also points where it doesn’t sound like Roy at all.
Example 7-Art Farmer live in NYC
I really need to listen to more trumpet players! Whoever this is has a kind of Tom Harrell vibe, but I’m really unsure who it may be. John McNeil?
Dave has a new recording out that is excellent entitled Progress Report! Stay afloat with what’s going on in Dave by visiting his facebook page!
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