Steve Davis / Outlook

Every piece of art that functions as both a creative artistic message and a crafty stylistic statement should also ideally convey an artist's unique point of view to his audience. Trombonist Steve Davis clearly succeeds in doing just that by sharing his "Outlook" on the jazz idiom. Joining together with Steve Davis for this hard hitting session is the solid lineup of alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo, pianist David Bryant, bassist Dezron Douglas, and powerhouse drummer Eric McPherson. With a nice combination of creative compositions and clever adaptations, Steve Davis's 2008 album "Outlook" is insightfully straight ahead, steadily swinging, and refreshingly melodic. It should be enough to provide a wide assortment of bright moments to discerning jazz fans everywhere.