Walter Davis Jr. Davis Cup Blue Note 4018 West 63RD DG EAR

Sold Date: June 14, 2017
Start Date: June 9, 2017
Final Price: $975.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 13
Seller Feedback: 4
Buyer Feedback: 1117


Genre Jazz Record Size 12" Duration LP Record Grading  Excellent ( EX) Sleeve Grading Very Good Plus (VG+) Record Label Blue Note Release Year 1960

 Original Blue Note LP 4018: Walter Davis Jr.'s Davis Cup, with the quintet of Donald Byrd on trumpet, Jackie McLean on alto sax, Davis Jr. on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. Record is the deep-groove version, bears the 63rd st address, and has the RVG stamp and "ear" in the dead wax. 

Tracks include: Smake It, Loodle-Lot, Sweetness, Rhumba Nhumba, Minor Mind, Millie's Delight....... 


After Payment is received Vinyl is shipped in Record mailers with stiffeners and insurance

  Records are stored in special poly vinyl storage sleeves
Clean Labels
Deep Groove on both sides

Matrix / Runout (Side A): BN-LP-4018- A engraved by hand 
Matrix / Runout (Side B): BN-LP-4010- B engraved by hand 
RVG and "ear" machine stamped on both sides
"P" Etched



Mint (M) – Absolutely perfect in every way. Never been played and usually sealed. Near Mint (NM) – The record has been on a shelf between other records. The vinyl looks glossy and clearly has only been played a few times. There are no marks on the vinyl and the whole package is complete. Excellent (E) – Same but I’d tolerate very light marks where the vinyl has been in and out of the inner sleeve a few times, or tiny signs of use generally. Very Good Plus (VG+) – A few further faults are acceptable, but nothing that really compromises the record visually or audibly. A little rub, light inaudible marks, a little background crackle. Very Good (VG) – It’s seen a bit of life, but is still usable. Light pops and clicks, an edge split, light visible scratches. You can still listen to it and enjoy looking at it, but it is visually and audibly USED. Good (G) – To be honest you’re making trouble for yourself here, as Good means Bad. I’d only be selling something really desirable in this condition, with a bargain price and a full, no holds barred description to match. Poor (P), Fair (F) Attempting to listen will be a disturbing experience. Expect major noise issues, skipping or repeating. The record itself is cracked, badly warped and has deep scratches. The cover is also approaching death.

Walter Davis, Jr.'s debut record as a leader for Blue Note is a terrific hard bop session, a driving collection of six original tunes that emphasize the strengths not only of the pianist himself, but also his supporting band: trumpeter Donald Byrd, alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Art Taylor. Apart from the lovely ballad "Sweetness," Davis Cup moves along at a brisk pace, with the rhythm section urging the soloists to new heights. Byrd has rarely sounded better, and on this date McLean provides ample evidence that he was moving beyond the conventions of hard bop and developing his own unique style. Davis, of course, does more than acquit himself -- he contributes an engaging, energetic performance that keeps the music grounded. His compositions are just as captivating, whether it's the swinging "Rhumba Nhumba" or the darkly invigorating "Minor Mind." It all adds up to a wonderful straight-ahead hard bop date, one that's so good it's a wonder that Davis didn't receive another chance to lead a session until 1979.

An often remarkable and inventive bebop and hard bop pianist, Walter Davis Jr. once left the music world to be a tailor, but returned. A solid soloist, bandleader, and accompanist, he amassed a good body of work while never becoming a high-profile name even within the jazz community. Davis played with Babs Gonzales' Three Bips & a Bop as a teen, then moved from Richmond to New York in the early '50s. He played with Max Roach and Charlie Parker, recording with Roach in 1953. He joined Dizzy Gillespie's band in 1956, and toured the Middle East and South America. He also played in Paris with Donald Byrd in 1958 and with Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers in 1959. After retiring from music for a while to run his tailor shop, Davis returned in the '60s, producing records and writing arrangements for a local New Jersey group. He studied music in India in 1969, and played with Sonny Rollins in the early '70s. Davis had another stint with the Jazz Messengers in 1975, then led his own group in New York.