Click here for a printable version of this page.
In a musical career that
has spanned four decades, Dr. Art Davis has played his bass with a myriad
of the greatest jazz, classical, and popular artists in the world. He has shared his
talents with not only the best jazz musicians (John Coltrane, Max
Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Lena Horne, Thelonius
Monk, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie,
Quincy Jones, etc.), but with notable figures from popular music such as Judy
Garland, Bob Dylan, Minne Pearl, Barbara
Streisand, Hank Williams. Davis' career has also seen
performances with major orchestras such as the National Symphony, NBC
Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles
Philharmonic, Radio City Music Hall Symphony, Westchester Symphony, Orange County Symphony
and others. Click here for a discography.
Davis studied the tuba as well as the piano as a boy in his hometown of Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania before switching to the bass in high school. He won numerous awards on both
tuba and double-bass while attending high school. Upon graduation, he moved to New York to
study via scholarship at both the Manhattan School of Music as well as
the Juilliard School of Music. While attending the latter he studied with
world renown cellist Lazlo Varga and Anselme Fortier,
who was principal bassist with the New York Philharmonic at that time. He earned a B.A.
degree, triple major in psychology, music, physics, summa sum laude from Hunter
College, City University of New York.
Art Davis' recording debut came in 1958 at the Newport Jazz Festival,
with Max Roach's group that included the legendary Booker Little and George
Coleman. Davis maintained a strong personal relationship with Max, and Booker
Little became one of his best friends.
John Coltrane came into Art Davis' life while Davis was working with Max Roach's group at
Small's Paradise in Harlem. Coltrane at that time was in Miles Davis'
band and between sets asked Art if he would like to "practice" with him. Art
agreed and Coltrane replied "How about tomorrow morning?" At 8:00 the following
morning John Coltrane was in the lobby of Art's hotel and called him on the house phone.
After that first meeting, the two practiced regularly for about a year, the sessions
lasting for many hours without a break. It was during this year that John Coltrane wrote
the tune "Giant Steps". Davis credits the association with John Coltrane as the
most intense and enriching musical experience of his career. Until Coltrane's death in 1967,
Art remained close musically and personally with him and was a member of the bands on
several Coltrane albums including, "Ascension", "Africa Brass I and
II", "Olé! Coltrane", and others. Art's discography as a member of
Coltrane's groups also includes the original recording of "A Love Supreme"
(which remains unreleased) with Coltrane's regular quartet and Archie Shepp. Art also
toured intermittently with John Coltrane. Due to Davis' studio and other commitments, he
was unable to become a permanent member of Coltrane's quartet, but John insisted on their
continued relationship.
Then, in 1959, Davis joined Dizzy Gillespie's band and toured for two and a half years.
Weary of the road he returned to New York and free-lanced. In 1961 Art became the second
African-American member of the NBC Staff Orchestra, working regularly on
the Merv Griffin, Jack Paar, and Johnny Carson
shows (and others), as well as performing in the New York studios playing jingles, films,
and freelancing with performers.
When the Griffin show moved to Los Angeles in 1971 Davis went back to school to pursue his
deep interest in psychology, earning a masters degree in Experimental Psychology from the
City College of the City University of New York and a masters degree and a Ph.D. in
clinical psychology from New York University by 1982. He supported himself while in
college by teaching and performing in Broadway shows.
After receiving his doctorate, he devoted four years to psychology patients and teaching
in medical centers and colleges. In 1986, Davis moved to southern California, where he
currently teaches college courses and maintains a professional practice as well as playing
concerts, clubs, and recordings.Throughout his busy career, Davis finds time to encourage
young people to strive toward their highest professional ambitions. His fan club decided
to reflect this concern and established a scholarship program for deserving students.
Then, in 1993, Davis
founded a non-profit 501(c3) organization entitled B.A.S.S.
(Better Advantages for Students and Society), enabling donors to deduct their gifts. The
Dr. Art Davis Sholarships awarded by B.A.S.S. award stipends to full time
college/university students in all educational disciplines. In 1995, Dr. Davis formed the
Gladys Davis Memorial Scholarships in honor of his late wife who was a health care
provider. The Gladys Davis Memorial Scholarships are open to health care majors only. Dr.
Davis continues to be active as a leader in local clubs, private venues, and cultural
events in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. |
