Literature Review – Gettin’ It Done: Steve Davis’ Improvised Trombone Solos by Brian Scarborough
Jazz transcriptions tend to be one of the big teaching points for the developing jazz musician. Transcribing a solo allows the student to not only get in the mind of the soloist but, especially for slide instruments, it really shows what the instrument is capable of doing, then taking certain licks to add to their own vocabulary. Studying the solos of Charlie Parker, J.J. Johnson, and others sets the foundation, but there is an added bonus in studying the recordings of modern artists.
Jazz trombonist Brian Scarborough has accomplished that task in transcribing the solos of Steve Davis from his 2012 record Gettin’ It Done. Scarborough started working on these solos during graduate studies at DePaul University and with a Pandemic-infused time period, he was able to complete the book in 2021. 
As a result, the book of 8 transcribed solos gives us an outstanding glimpse into a trombone master’s vocabulary and why those solos contain sounds of finesse. While the music itself just flows, the written-out transcriptions contain clear indications of chord progressions; tempo and style markings; the number of solos on each tune; and specific timestamps for where Davis’ solos begin on each track. The book is methodically laid out for user accessibility as a physical copy or digital download that can be purchased from Scarborough’s online store.
Trombonists will want to purchase this book (and listen to the album) to study the intricate, beautiful language that Steve Davis consistently pours out of the horn.
Click here to purchase the book (Direct).
Click here to learn more about Brian Scarborough.
