One of the more technically skilled and emotionally powerful
acoustic bassists of the 20th century. Although he played in
orchestral realms (including a short stint for
Stravinsky, his genre-spanning career mostly encompassed all sorts of
jazz.
From the 1960s on out, Davis worked with Eric Dolphy, Booker Ervin, Stan Getz, Andrew Hill, Earl Hines, Billy Cobham, Elvin Jones, and Kenny Burrell. He's also released intermittent solo albums; 1990's Live at Sweet Basil is worth looking up.
Since the 1970's, Richard has been at the University of Wisconsin. He teaches many a groove-less student about the history of jazz, the stigmas that caused it, and how to play it.