Sébastien Hélary, NextBop With a career spanning nearly two decades, you’ve probably heard of bassist and composer Dezron Douglas by now. Douglas was a prominent part of Makaya McCraven’s Universal Beings last year, Nextbop’s favorite album of 2018, and has appeared on other albums by the likes of Glenn Zaleski, Duane Eubanks, J. D. Allen, and Cyrus Chestnut, without … Read More
Russ Musto, New York City Jazz Record Bassist Dezron Douglas has proven himself to be a most capable bandleader with considerable abilities as a composer. Mentored by Jackie McLean, he came up through the saxophonist’s Artists Collective where he received training emphasizing the arts and culture of the African Diaspora. The original music on this … Read More
by David Whiteis, JazzTimes This six-track EP showcases both the versatility and musical depth of bassist Dezron Douglas, whose ensemble includes tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard, altoist Lummie Spann, trumpeter Josh Evans, and drummer Jeremy “Bean” Clemons, along with, at various points, keyboardists Willerm Delisfort and David Bryant. Douglas, who studied under the late Jackie McLean … Read More
By Phil Freeman, The Wire This first call New York bassist, most recently heard on Makaya McCraven’s Universal Beings, has assembled a killer band for his six track digital EP including saxophonists Stacy Dillard and Lummie Spann, trumpeter Josh Evans and drummer Jeremy ‘Bean” Clemons. The music encompasses heavy 1970s-style acoustic blowing reminiscent of McCoy … Read More
DanMichael Reyes, Revive Music Known as one of the most reliable musicians to man the low-end, Dezron Douglas has made a career of providing the root for some of the most swinging modern music. Mentored by masters like Jackie McLean, Michael Carvin, and Pharoah Sanders, Douglas’ connection with music will always be swing. “I feel like no matter what groove, time … Read More
Phil Freeman, Stereogum Dezron Douglas, Black Lion (Independent/Self-Released) Bassist Dezron Douglas has been a first-call player on the New York scene for years, playing in straightahead hard bop contexts as well as more adventurous, forward-looking groups. He appeared most recently on Makaya McCraven’s Universal Beings, which was Stereogum’s #1 jazz album of 2018. This six-track digital-only EP, which … Read More
Stephen Graham, Marlbank Jazz Blog It is fitting that the first notes you hear on Black Lion are from the bass. Dezron Douglas you will know from a lot of records. Recently he was on one of 2018’s best albums Universal Beings by Makaya McCraven. The tune ‘Black Lion’ that lends its name to the … Read More
Geno Thackara, All About Jazz It’s striking, regal, moody, even a bit dangerous—and that’s just the cover. Whatever statement Dezron Douglas is making with the name of this EP (also shared by the freshly formed sextet behind it), it’s probably one with layers of meaning and history. As you might expect from someone versatile enough to be … Read More
D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Dezron Douglas – Black Lion Rising jazz bassist Dezron Douglas assembles a band with Stacy Dillard (t-sax), Lummie Spann (a-sax), Josh Evans (t), and Jeremy “Bean” Clemons (d). Piano duties are split equally between Willerm Delisfort and David Bryant. We liked the Reggae beats of “Great Provider”, the funky bass … Read More
Jon D’Auria, Bass Player Prolific bassist, composer and bandleader Dezron Douglas, who has stunned audiences with his virtuosity for nearly two decades, is proud to announce the January 11th release of Black Lion, featuring his eponymously named sextet. After releasing six albums as a leader, including his well received live recording Dezron Douglas: Live at Smalls (★★★★, Downbeat Magazine), … Read More
