Nathan-Paul Davis makes this statement at the top of his Linktree page:
"I play energy, not notes!" Nathan-Paul calls his music SOUND MEDICINE.
Anyone who has heard Davis play will recognize that he is simply stating facts. No cap. No flex. The energy in a typical Nathan-Paul performance could power a dozen AI server farms for a month.
Thursday night finds the saxophonist in an unusual setting: playing a birthday gig, in this case, his own. The setting, Edwin’s Leadership & Restaurant Institute, is at once familiar, but different.
This is his first appearance at the Cedar Rd. landmark since Brendan Chrostowski took over the space, But the former Nighttown played a formative role in the saxophonist’s early career.
“When I played at Nighttown a long time ago, my sister had an old video of the concert. I’m still in college, maybe it’s my sophomore, junior year–one of those,” he said. “It was one of my first official jazz shows in my music career in Cleveland,” The band was the Cleveland Jazz Project: pianist Jacob Bergson, Benjamin Bloom on bass and drummer James Muschler.
“I remember we sold out, but it wasn’t ’cause we had bigger fans. It was Cleveland Heights, you know. All our parents were in the community. So if any of our parents just told a few friends, we are gonna sell the place out.”
Word quickly got out beyond Cleveland Heights—to Akron, where Wesley Bright made N-PD’s saxophone an essential part of The Honeytones, and to Philadelphia, where the intrepid indie label Ropeadope Records released a three-song EP by Nathan-Paul and The Admirables.
That band is still lighting up local stages, but lately, this restless musician has concentrated his efforts on the studio. Like an increasing number of artists these days, N-PD has taken to self-releasing a stream of singles that he classifies as lo-fi. Beat-centric and using production methods ported from hip-hop, the singles were a pandemic-era response to the disappearance of live shows. Still, assembling beats and layering his own keyboards and saxophones has unleashed a stream of creativity, including “The Strategist”, released last week and featuring TyC on guitar, bassist Jordan McBride and Zaire Darden on drums.
Those names affirm Nathan-Paul’s jazz roots, which run deep and strong. Even on some of the lo-fi singles, he can still startle with a dazzling solo at video-game velocity, effortlessly dropped into a head-nodding track.
And it says something that for his own birthday party, Nathan-Paul has assembled some of the most expert players on the scene.
“Zaire plays with me all the time,” N-PD said. “He’s in all my projects. I didn’t really pick him; he’s usually just on the gig. It was almost a safe assumption. Kip Reed is the only electric bass player who has the ability around here to also sound like a straight-up upright swinging bass player. He’s got this new bass. It’s really cool and amazing.” Theron Brown, one of the saxophonist’s most venerable musical colleagues, is recovering from a wrist injury. Andru Dennis will sub in on keyboards.
As Nighttown, the room had a reputation for lively, but not necessarily silent audiences, and Nathan-Paul is fine with that.
“When the crowd is loud sometimes and noisy, I like that, especially if the music is somewhat experimental or it’s newer, if I’m trying some stuff out. For me personally, a very quiet crowd, if they get their drink and they’re just really locked in, sometimes that can be overwhelming depending on how new the music is,” he said. “Sometimes it’s like, ‘It’s a little noisy tonight, y’all!’ But let’s be honest, this is one of those nights where we may not mind.”
Nathan-Paul’s Birthday Show Thurs., Jan. 29, 7 p.m., Edwin’s Leadership & Restaurant Institute, 12383 Cedar Rd,, Cleveland Heights, tickets available here
P.S. Nathan-Paul is a terrific social follow. His Instagram, @nathanpaulmusic, features a preview of the birthday show delivered from atop his fridge. While you’re there, dig the fuzzy slippers.
Trading Fours
There’s never a bad time to get out and commune in the same room with creative musicians. Below are four musical events of interest in the coming week that you might want to check out.
The Third Law Collective
Thursday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m.
BOP STOP, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, tickets
Nathan-Paul’s isn’t the only birthday being celebrated this week. The Third Law Collective blows out the candles on three years of showcasing the work of local composers as interpreted by 10 of the starriest players around.
Hubb’s Groove Birthday Celebration
Friday, Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Irishtown Bend Taproom, 1849 W. 24th St., Cleveland, tickets
Okay, what’s with all the Aquarian birthdays? Rob Hubbard has one on Friday, and the drummer/leader of Hubbs Groove blows out the candles in the company of some pretty heavy players. The keyboard crew alone is first class: Cliff Barnes, George Granville and Dr. David Thomas.
Chris Coles’ Gleam
Saturday, Jan. 30, 8 p.m.
BLU Jazz+, 47 E. Market St., Akron, tickets
Chris Coles doesn’t have a birthday this week; his was last Friday, but BLU Jazz+ should have a party atmosphere when an expanded version of his Gleam quintet takes the stage at the basement club. Special guests include guitarist Dan Bruce, percussionist Patrick Duke Graney and vocalist Floco Torres. How much cake can a jazz fan eat in a single weekend?
Memorial Celebration for Lamar Gaines, Sr.
Sunday, Feb. 1, 2:30 p.m.
Irishtown Bend Taproom, 1849 W. 24th St., Cleveland, free
A celebration of a different sort will take place Sunday afternoon in tribute to the bassist Lamar Gaines, Sr. who died earlier this month. Hosted by his sons Lamar Gaines, Jr. and Will Gaines, the celebration is expected to attract many of the bassist’s musicians and friends. No cover charge or ticket will be required.
For the most complete listing of jazz and jazz-adjacent events., look to Jim Szabo’s essential, weekly Northeast Ohio jazz calendar.
