It’s with a very heavy heart that we tell you that our friend and colleague Rick Davies passed away on December 4th, 2015 at his home in Plattsburgh after a long, valiant fight with cancer. Rick has been an Affiliate Artist teaching jazz trombone since 2009, and was a tenured Professor in, and former chair of, the Music Department at SUNY Plattsburgh. Since moving to the North Country in 2000, Rick has been an active performer with his own group, Jazzismo, and Grupo Sabor. An authority on Latin Jazz and Salsa, Rick played on numerous recordings and toured nationally and internationally with such artists as Wayne Gorbea and Salsa Picante, Wyclef Jean, Tito Puente, Blondie, and Michael Jackson. A native of Albuquerque, Dr. Davis received his BA in Music Theory from the University of New Mexico, his MA in Music Education from City University of New York, and his PhD in Ethnomusicology from New York University. In addition to being a wonderful musician, Rick was a great person who will be remembered for his easy-going nature, his sense of humor, and his passion for music, especially Latin Jazz. Though it is probably obvious, it shouldn’t go without saying that he will be missed deeply.   A musical memorial to celebrate Rick will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, at the Elks Club on Cumberland Avenue in Plattsburgh. Donations in lieu of flowers will be used for the completion of Rick's most recent recording project.