The Pace Report: "A Jazzcultural Reflection" The Jesse Davis Interview

On March 20, 2026, Jazzcultural, a new jazz venue by Smalls/Mezzrow owner Spike Wilner, opened to rave reviews. Jazzcultural holds 90 people and acts also as studio and cafe. The club was inspired by the late Dr. Barry Harris's "Jazz Cultural Theater". Opening weekend featured the Jesse Davis Quartet performing music from his latest Cellar Records release "Reflections" featuring Jesse Davis on alto saxophone, Spike Wilner on piano, John Webber on Bass, and Lewis Nash on drums. Jesse's friendship with club owner Spike Wilner goes back to the early 1980's and wanted him to perform for the grand opening. He played three sold out nights and the music fans have raved about the new venue. In this special edition of The Pace Report, saxophonist and historian Jesse Davis sits down with Brian Pace to reflect on his new record, candidly talk about his musical origins in New Orleans and being a "young lion" during 1980's New York City, and his deep friendship with pianist Spike Wilner. This segment also features highlights of Jesse's debut performance at Jazzcultural. To order Jesse's latest album "Reflections" please visit Cellar Records website at www.CellarMusicGroup.com. For more information on Jazzcultural's upcoming shows or directions please visit them online at www.Jazzcultrual.com #jazz #jazzmusician #livemusic #musicinterview #music #thepacereport #jazzmusic #musician #jessedavis #spikewilner #Johnwebber #lewisnash #jazzcafe #jazzcultural #brianpace #altosaxmusic #altosaxophone #altosaxophonesolo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamp: 0:00 – Intro: Welcome to The Pace Report 0:09 – Live from Jazz Cultural (NYC Opening) 0:17 – New Venue by Spike Wilner (Smalls & Mezzrow) 0:32 – Inside Jazz Cultural (Theater District) 0:40 – Featuring Jesse Davis (Saxophonist & Educator) 0:54 – Legends Jesse Davis Has Played With 1:07 – New Album Reflections Overview 1:22 – Band Lineup (John Weber, Lewis Nash, Spike Wilner) 1:39 – Interview Preview & New Orleans Roots 2:26 – 🔥 Live Performance Begins 7:50 – Interview: Jesse Davis on Jazz Cultural Opening 8:10 – Relationship with Spike Wilner (Since 1986) 9:24 – Touring with Illinois Jacquet & Early Career 10:18 – Full Circle: Jazz Culture & Club Legacy 11:17 – Classic Jazz Venues Influence (Village Vanguard, Blue Note) 12:05 – Unique Sound & Design of Jazz Cultural 13:01 – Tribute to Barry Harris & Jazz Education 14:21 – One-Stop Venue: Recording, Video & Performance 17:19 – 🔥 Live Performance Segment 21:09 – New Album Reflections (Creation Story) 22:03 – Meeting Lewis Nash & Musical Chemistry 23:21 – Touring & Learning from Jazz Legends 25:11 – Why Jesse Davis Chose Thelonious Monk 26:08 – Recording “Reflections” & “Evidence” 27:30 – Studio Session Insights 28:42 – Returning to New York from Italy 29:30 – New York Jazz Scene & Expectations 30:26 – Importance of Jam Sessions & Community 31:00 – The “Young Lions” Era Explained 31:46 – Learning from Illinois Jacquet 34:45 – 🔥 Live Performance Segment 36:47 – Early Career with Cedar Walton 38:40 – First Recording Experience Story 40:41 – Recording at Rudy Van Gelder Studio 41:28 – Rapid Rise in Jazz Career 42:53 – Lessons from Early Studio Sessions 45:42 – Marsalis Era & New Orleans Influence 47:21 – Wynton Marsalis Legacy 50:45 – 🔥 Live Performance Segment 53:35 – Influence of Grover Washington Jr. 54:54 – Impact on Jazz & Funk Evolution 57:03 – Jazz, Culture & Musical Change 1:03:24 – What Black American Music Means 1:04:31 – Cultural Expression Through Music 1:05:39 – Individual Style & Identity in Jazz 1:07:46 – Why Black American Music Is Unique 1:08:13 – Closing Remarks 1:08:36 – Support Reflections Album 1:08:48 – Like, Share & Subscribe 1:09:02 – Outro