The J. Davis Trio "These Things Happen" Stalwarts of the Chicago music scene, the J. Davis Trio (JDT) returns with their third CD, "These Things Happen", featuring their ever evolving unique blend of hip hop and garage-jazz with big beats. JDT is known for their crisp performances and rich, clever music. They are a self-sustained band, record label and recording studio. For the last 7 seven years plus, they've written and released their self-titled debut album, and 2002's "The New No.2" The J. Davis Trio is fronted by vocalist/multi-percussionist Stuart, and backed by bassist Flav-R-Ice, drummer The Planet and trumpeter Benjamin Pendulum. "These Things Happen" , released on their own Yo Yo Smuggler Records, brings power and precision together with grace and beauty. Big beats join with trumpets, violins, vibraphones, Rhodes pianos, congas and Stuart's smart lyrics to create their signature sound, an idiosyncratic mix of hip hop, jazz and soul. Featured: -rappers Lunchbox Law, Terror and LP Raven from legendary Chicago hip-hop crew Stony Island -Frank Orrall, Susan Voelz and Rick Gehrenbeck from Poi Dog Pondering -singer/songwriter Stolie -rapper O Type Star -Paul Mertens from The Brian Wilson Group The J.Davis Trio has shared the stage with acts such as: The Roots, M'shelle N'degleocello, Ozomatli, Reuben Wilson, De La Soul, Maceo Parker, Norah Jones, Groove Collective, Talib Kwali, Shinehead, The Greyboy Allstars, Karl Denson, The Pharcyde, Black Eyed Peas, Tortoise, Living Colour, Poi Dog Pondering, and Modeski, Martin and Wood. Press for the J.Davis Trio Slinky jazz hooks, live trumpet and vibes, and laid-back flows make Chicago's J.Davis Trio pretty much instantly likeable for anyone who enjoys De La Soul or A Tribe Called Quest. Granted, the band wears "Swingers-caliber" shirts and describes itself as "Martini-flavored", but this doesn't dilute it's funky grasp on hip-hop. Here, the group celebrates the release of its new album, "These Things Happen", its first album since 2002's "The New No.2". - The Onion For hip-hop fans who’ve had their fill of urban grit and flashy bling, the innovative rhymes of The J. Davis Trio might be your thing. Intertwined with soul and jazz, These Things Happen is a laid-back, beat-laden record featuring cool horns and emotive strings that complement the truly awesome rhymes perfectly. – Dean Ramos - Illinois Entertainer Chicago Tribune on jdt The Trio is certainly staking it's claim in an underexplored sector of hip-hop's terrain. There's the avant-jazz element, for one, heard in the skeletal, ultracool sonic landscape of Davis' voice, Flav-r-ice's bass and occaisional flute, Ron of Japan's trumpet and The Professa's drums. -Moira McCormick Chicago Reader on "The New No.2" "This local hip-hop outfit--a quartet, not a trio--makes it's backing tracks the hard way, getting their grooves mostly from real bass and drums. Ron of Japan's trumpet skitters around them, but competes only slightly with rapper Stuart's lucid poetry, which would give these guys an edge even if they used samples." -Monica Kendrick booking: nerdup@hotmail.com www.jdavistrio.com www.myspace.com/thejdavistrio