Davis Jr., Walter. (1932–1990)
Collection of Original Photographs
Collection of five original black and white photographs of the American hard-bop pianist. Two larger prints, one of them in oblong format (8.75 x 13.25 inches / 22 x 33.3 cm) showing him seated in a chair, the other one, in upright format (13 x 8.5 inches / 33 x 21.2 cm) in a close-up at the piano, face and torso only (no hands). Three smaller prints, two of them upright (10 x 8 inches / 25.5 x 20.3 cm), showing him seated at the piano, the third, in oblong format (8 x 10 inches / 20.3 x 25 cm) seated on the ground with a miniature piano. The three smaller photos are in fine condition except for a crease to the upper left corner of the oblong one. The two larger photos have a few minor cracks, and the oblong one is slightly stained along the left edge."Although he was interested in blues and jazz from an early age, Walter Davis, Jr. studied classical piano. While still in his teens he played with Babs Gonzales’s group Three Bips and a Bop, then moved to New York to work with Max Roach and Charlie Parker (1952); he recorded with Roach in 1953. In 1956 he joined Dizzy Gillespie’s group. Davis gave up his musical career for a time to work as a tailor. He made several recordings as a leader in the 1980s; especially notable are his brilliant unaccompanied renditions of Thelonious Monk’s compositions on the album In Walked Thelonious (1987)." Paul Rinzler/Barry Kernfeld in New Grove Online (19757)
Unsigned Photograph Jazz