Jeremy Davenport releases new CD

Trumpeter, singer and St. Louis native turned New Orleans resident Jeremy Davenport has released a new CD, his first since signing with the New Orleans-based label Basin Street Records last fall.

We'll Dance 'Til Dawn (pictured) is Davenport's debut release for the label, and he's getting some press for it right out of the gate, including a cover story penned by John Swenson for Offbeat, the Crescent City's local music magazine.

While Davenport continues to hold down his house-band spot at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans - "he plays in the Davenport Lounge, where the patrons drink Davenportinis" - the Offbeat article says that he's also starting another recurring gig in New York City:

"Starting in July, Davenport will wing his way between his jobs in New Orleans and New York. “Jet Blue is my commuter bus,” he jokes. He plans a more downscale approach to his New York gig at Huckleberry’s, a small, hip, tapas bar in a Brooklyn neighborhood that is more of a walk-in joint than a couples’ night out venue. The name may put you in mind of “Moon River,” and the patrons at Huckleberry’s drink craft-brewed IPA, not Davenportinis, but he’s still looking to put his own stamp on the gig."

Fittingly, the trumpeter is now using Twitter to apprise fans of his comings and goings. Back here in his hometown, Davenport is the subject of a feature story by Calvin Wilson in this weekend's Post-Dispatch, which you can read online here. Davenport will be back in St. Louis over Thanksgiving weekend to perform at Jazz at the Bistro.

Jeremy Davenport signs with Basin Street Records

It was just a couple of days ago that we noted in this space that trumpeter, vocalist and St. Louis native-turned-New Orleans resident Jeremy Davenport seems under-recorded by current music business standards, and now, word comes that he has signed a new deal with Basin Street Records. From the news release:

"Mark Samuels, president and founder of the award-winning New Orleans’ based record label, Basin Street Records, is pleased to announce the label has signed an exclusive recording agreement with trumpeter/vocalist/composer Jeremy Davenport. The first recording of this two record deal is scheduled to begin next month with a proposed spring 2009 release date.

Working together is a vision realized for both Samuels (pictured at left) and Davenport. They first met 20 years ago casually at lunch while Jeremy was still in high school and staying with Wynton Marsalis. Samuels states: “Jeremy was the first artist I tried to sign when I entered the music industry several years later and I’m truly excited he is now a part of our recording family.” Davenport echoes: “I was introduced to Mark by Wynton when I was just a kid. I've waited years to make a record with him. I'm thrilled!”

Samuels started Basin Street Records in 1997. The label released four recordings in 2008, by artists Irvin Mayfield, Dr. Michael White, Henry Butler and Theresa Andersson. The Basin Street roster also includes Kermit Ruffins, Jon Cleary, Jason Marsalis, Los Hombres Calientes, and the Headhunters. Davenport returns to St. Louis this week to perform Friday and Saturday evening as well as a Sunday matinee at Jazz at the Bistro.