Dameronia
| Company type | Jazz ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Don Sickler, Philly Joe Jones |
| Defunct | 1985 |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Don Sickler, Philly Joe Jones |
| Products | Jazz albums |
Number of employees | 9 |
Dameronia was a bebop jazz ensemble formed in the 1980s by Don Sickler and Philly Joe Jones, dedicated to performing the original works and arrangements of Tadd Dameron. The ensemble produced three albums—two released through Uptown Records and one via Soul Note Records—and remained active following Jones' passing in 1985. This nine-piece group, including several musicians who had worked with Dameron, sought to present an authentic and faithful rendition of his compositions.
Personnel
The initial roster comprised:
- Johnny Coles, flugelhorn
- Don Sickler, trumpet, conductor, and additional arranger
- Britt Woodman, trombone
- Saxophonists: Charles Davis, Frank Wess, and Cecil Payne
- Walter Davis Jr., piano
- Larry Ridley, bass
- "Philly" Joe Jones, drums
- Transcriptions by Don Sickler and John Oddo
Subsequent members included:
- Virgil Jones, trumpet
- Benny Powell, trombone
- Clifford Jordan, tenor saxophone
- Kenny Washington, drums (after Jones)
Performances
Dameronia appeared at leading jazz venues, festivals, and concert stages, making their first appearance in 1982 at Lush Life in Greenwich Village. In 1988, they performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center in a program titled "The Music of Tadd Dameron," featuring an all-star quartet with Tommy Flanagan, George Mraz, Kenny Washington, and Charlie Rouse.
Discography
- 1982 To Tadd with Love (Uptown)
- 1983 Look Stop Listen (Uptown), featuring Johnny Griffin
- 1989 Live at the Theatre Boulogne-Billancourt Paris (Soul Note)