All About Jazz / NY
June, 2007

Charles Davis / Land Of Dreams

by Elliot Simon

In the shrinking world of ‘legendary’ jazz performers,
all star sessions and one-offs are the norm. This release
is a rare treat that gives a real look-see at saxophonist
Charles Davis in the context of his working band.
Davis, with his bari sax, was part of the seminal Jazz
Composer’s Orchestra and early groups fronted by
Sun Ra. Among a host of other top-flight ensembles,
he also anchored the reed sections for saxophonist Ben
Webster and trumpeter Kenny Dorham. His sessions
as a leader have been all too infrequent but with Land
of Dreams that is somewhat rectified as he steps to the
front on tenor and soprano sax.

It is obvious from this release that Davis has been
working and putting in a lot of time with pianist Tardo
Hammer and a rhythm section of Lee Hudson on bass
and drummer Jimmy Wormworth. There is an
integrative spiritual feel to these compositions, which
are heavy on the traditional but also include a few
originals, that can only come from a band playing
together. Beginning with a reverential Tranesque
consecration, “JC” quickly turns into a swinger that
allows Hammer to show some of his sway.
Interestingly, Davis seems particularly suited to
exploring the soprano sax and his improvisational
forays with the instrument on the lightly swinging
“Moon Nocturne” and intriguing Herbie Nichols
composition “Some Wandering Bushman” as well as
Monk’s “We See” are highlights. His tenor fills the
room with a smoky Ben Webster mood on the
gorgeous Tadd Dameron ballad “If You Could See Me
Now” and champs and growls a bit on a jazzy-bossa
version of “How Am I to Know?” The title cut, a
“Cherokee”-inspired bopper, brings this recording to a
quick-paced swinging conclusion.