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Most Recent News:

 
Art Davis and his arrangements and band orchestrations listed as one of the "129 Greatest Bands of Orange County" as stated in the Orange County Weekly. Amongst the world of would be hipsters, 
still at the top of the charts, even in Orange County, where Art Davis has been officially declared the 18th greatest band composer and music performer, keeping jazz and culture forever hip and alive.
OC Register June 20th, 2003: "with his Coltrane connections (he recorded several times with the legend and was a confidant), a discography that touches many of the jazz world's most important 
names-Art Blakey, Max Roach, Lena Horne, Freddie Hubbord, Quincy Jones, and Dizzy Gillespie-and crossover gigs with NBC, Westinghouse and CBS studio orchestras, Davis is a certified legend. He 
embraces all kinds of music and his infrequent concerts find him ranging over the predictable Art's Boogie to the Trane-influenced meditations and avant-garde excursions that travel far outside. His annual scholarship
events have included everyone from Horace Silver to Steve Allen. You sense history when he plays."

 
Click here to read the most recent article about Dr. Art Davis's performance at the University of Pennsylvania.

AWARDS

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition presented to Dr. Art Davis Jazz Legend in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community, presented August 26, 2002 Barbara Lee, Member Of Congress.

Exemplar Of Jazz, Howling Monk recognizes Dr. Art Davis as an Exemplar of the African American Art Experience, for nurturing the great Jazz tradition to entertain, express and enlighten, and for your work to raise the level of Jazz appreciation to a higher sense than merely music of the ballroom, presented November 30, 2002.

Recipient of the 2002-2003 ASCAP award made by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.  Awards are granted by an independent panel and are based upon the unique prestige value of each writer's catalog of Original Compositions as well as recent performances in areas not surveyed by the society.

The panelists are: David Bowden, Musical Director and Conductor of three Indiana orchestras: The Columbus Philharmonic, the Terre Haute Symphony, and the Carmel Symphony.  Peter Filichia, Drama Critic for the Newark Star Ledger.  Carolyn Jennings, Professor of Music at St. Olaf College.  Peter Keepnews, Freelance journalist specializing in jazz and popular culture. Michael Morgan, Music Director of the Oakland-East Bay Symphony Orchestra.  Melinda Newman, West Coast Bureau Chief of Billboard.  Pat Prescott, veteran radio personality who currently hosts the morning show on KTWV "The Wave" in Los Angeles.  H. Robert Reynolds, Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan.  Greg Sandow, Music educator, composer, and classical music critic for the Wall Street Journal.

A LOVE SUPREME

In tandem with author Ashley Kahn's new book of the same name, versions of John Coltrane's A LOVE SUPREME have been released on disc. Part of the excitement is due to the  rediscovery of the contributions of Dr. Art Davis and Archie Shep.  It was 36 years ago when the recordings of Davis and Shep were "lost". These are included this time.  When asked about the no longer missing tapes now released on disc, Dr. Davis stated "I've been vindicated."  36 years ago Davis predicted that the tapes would be found and heard.  Dr. Davis is referenced 19 times in Kahn's book, A LOVE SUPREME.

Randy Weston
Global Class and Historically renowned Pianist, Randy Weston, appearing at a Local Club. 
 

TYNER TIME IN PHILLY

Many well known musicians converged on Philadelphia in August to honor McCoy Tyner for the week before Labor Day including our own Dr. Art Davis.  Dr. Davis played with Tyner when Tyner later joined the Coltrane band. So Davis was pleased to play tribute to Tynor at the Ahmundson performance complex at the University of Pennsylvania.

Black Tie And Tux: Dr. Davis headlined a group that included trombonist and artist Dick Gruffin, Gary Bartz on saxophone, pianist Hilton Ruiz, drummer Jimmy Cobb and violinist Billy Bang.  Dr. Davis' double bass solo for Dahomey Dance got the audience shouting. McCoy Tyner followed performing. Messenger of Light played Tyner's compositions to bring down the curtain and the house.  The event was magnificent and nostalgic.  Many old acquaintances, fans and dear friends were reunited after 25 years or more.  It could have gone on into the wee hours but for the unions.

Awards: Awards and appreciation was given to the noted performers for their special contributions to the music and American culture.   Commendations were conveyed from the offices of the Mayor of Philadelphia to Dr. Art Davis and Yusef Lateef, Abdullah, McCoy Tyner, Trudy Pitts, Raymond A. King, Dick Griffin, Alfie Pollitt and others.  Special mention must be made of the performance of a terrific young jazz group "brought along" under the auspices of the non-profit organization Trane Stop has received support from the Philadelphia Council of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

War Party: Sunday afternoon a casual wrap party was held at the Sheraton University Hotel. Photos were displayed and new ones taken. Official video guy Eric Quester contunued taping impromtu speeches of cusicans and organizers.   Special thanks are given to Caroline, Rozalyn, and, Raymond Wood, Arnold Boyd, Eric, Derek, Dick Girffin and many others for making the trip and the music possible.

Hilton Ruiz, pianist for Dr. Art Davis' All Stars, in the Annenberg Center, University of Philadelphia for rehearsal.	Jimmy Cobb on drums.	David Griffin and Billy Bang.
The Band with Gary Bartz upfront on Alto Sax.	The Band: Art Davis, Billy Bang violin, Dick Griffin trombone, Gary Bartz alto sax, Jimmy Cobb and Hilton Ruiz.	Awardees of Lifetime Acheivement at Tynor Time (L to R) Ray Bryant, Gary Bartz, not seen, Yusef Lateef,  McCoy Tyner and others.

Scholarship Winners Announced

Tanvi Gandhi, a pre med major was the recipient of the Dr. Art Davis Scholarship. Hao Nguyen, a pre med major won the Gladys Davis Memorial Scholarship. Dharmesh Tailor, a pre med major in oncology and cancer, was awarded the Susan McNulty Scholarship. Below is a photo of  Hao Nguyen.

In attendance Cecilia Tapscott	In attendance Pierrette Jordan and Trudy Levy.
In attendance was Martha Roof attorney at law.

Sisters Of Jazz Honors Dr. Art Davis

Los Angeles: Each Fourth of July for the last seven years, Rose Gale and the Sisters of Jazz have held the Larry Gales' Barbeque.  This year the event honored Dr. Art Davis, Donald Dean, Carl Randall and Al McKibbon.

Entertainment was provided by Ernie Andrews, Louis Ball, Ernie Banks, Leo Blevins, Bobby DuPree, Michael Eason, Dale Fielder, Claire Fraizer, Art Hillary, Sweet Baby J'ai, Curtis Kirk, Don and Jeff Littleton, Charles Owens, Howlett Smith, Eddie Sticks, Clarence Webb and many others.  Masters of Ceremony were Dante Chambers and Chuck Franklin, and Kim Woodard.

Formed ten years ago, Sisters of Jazz, Inc. a non-profit organization, has a mission to provide financial assistance for Los Angeles Area jazz artists and/or their families in the event of catastrophic illness or other dire emergencies.  The organization also fosters the enhancement, awareness, appreciation and preservation of jazz artistry.

The foundation has received numerous awards and certificates from the City of Los Angeles and the Eta Phi Beta Society, Kappa Chapter.

Maria Gibbs stops by Honorees' table. Dr Art Davis on her right and Lawrence Marable to her left.	Don Littleton confers with Dr. Davis	Lady Blue and Dr Art Davis
Rose Gale and Dr. Art Davis	Al McKibbon at the Honorees Table

Dr Art. Davis, live at the 2003 Los Angeles Jazz Festival...

Catch a review of Dr. Art Davis's Latest Show, The Coltrane Tribue... www.amorproductions.com/artdavis.html

"THE ART OF SURVIVAL" Article In Double Bassist Magazine; Summer 2002

By Chris J. Walker

Click on pictures below to read article:

THE NEW CD RELEASE 'PUTTIN ON THE RITZ'

Dr. Davis and his good friend Jan Jordan have created a CD of their favorite music played at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Nigel on Sunday afternoons in the Terrace Room Restaurant. It is available by mail order for the price of $20 shipping and handling included. You can mail your order to:  Arkimu Records, 3535 East Coast Highway #50, Corona Del Mar, California  92625. Or for more information simply email Dr. Davis at:  drart@artdavis.com  or Jan Jordan at: jkj88@juno.com

THE 5TH ANNUAL GRENADA SPICE JAZZ FESTIVAL

Art Davis and his quintet along with Peabo Bryson, appeared at the Lover's Serenade held at Quaratine Point. It was a hot and balmy night, strong breezes cooled the site of the concert  They played to an appreciative audience.

Spice Jazz '2002'	Map of Grenada	The Stage	Dr. Davis in the groove	Oran Coltrane and Odean Pope
Drummer Tony Austin		The attending audience in part

Art Davis Speaks At The Phi Delta Kappa Dinner At Orange Coast College

PHI DELTA KAPPA HOSTS--(Right to left) Theresa Tarlos, President of Phi Delta Kappa (a faculty organization and honor society), Margaret A. Gratton, President of Orange Coast College, and Dr. Art Davis.  Standing immediately to Davis' right is coordinator of the event Dr. Larry Le Brane, and far left is jazz buff Dr. David Ring.  Dr. Davis spoke on his life and times, his career and his efforts to improve life in general by annually helping well-deserving college students remain in school, believing that they in turn will help others, ad infinitum. At the end of his well-received speech, Phi Delta Kappa presented Dr. Davis with a pin designating him an Honorary Member.

The article above reprinted from the PHI DELTA KAPPA "THE TRABUCO" newsletter. Click on picture to see full sized image.

Art Davis At The Knitting Factory In NYC

The following review was written by Steve Rowland , Producer of the "Miles Davis  Radio Project" and "Tell Me How Long Trane's Been Gone".

Art Davis and the Circle of 5, play the music of Hendrix and Coltrane Knitting Factory, NYC, March 28th and  29th, 2002 Art Davis, bass/leader --   Candido, congas -- Dick Griffin, trombone -- Dave Burrell, piano - James Carter, tenor & soprano saxophones, and Cecil BrooksIII, drums. Set caught  --- 2nd set on Friday, March 29th,
last set of this engagement. Songs performed Manic Depression, Hendrix / Midnight, Hendrix / Equinox, Coltrane / Ans -

Art Davis "66 year old master bassist Art Davis returns to NY playing the music of John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix."

Too often now, our elder statesmen stop taking chances, and decline offers to perform in new settings.  This group
represents what is possible these days in assembling intergenerational ensembles in which experience,
appreciation and fire are passed around and shared as if at a communal meal. It takes a musician with the stature of an Art Davis to assemble a group of musicians this fine, and this open.   It takes  musicians with the kind of
simultaneous mastery and curiosity to perform music with both precision and abandon =-- music written by masters -- but also performed with indelible performances that stay in the mind the listener even as it is reworked and recreated on stage -- a formidable challenge --and these players were certainly up to it.

The Hendrix songs were first.  Manic Depression.  Many people have Hendrix's version of this song indelibly imprinted on their brains - and it takes a lot to tackle this song with a mainly acoustic group - But between Davis'
insistent rhythms and pitch explorations and James Carter's excursions into the upper register of his tenor, was Dave Burrell, pounding out turf in a small range on the high notes of his synthesizer - comping rhythms over and
over - laying a strong but narrow foundation for the others --Davis took a beautiful arco solo toward the
end of the song, matched by Burell's tremendous solo on acoustic - still confining himself to the high keys -

Hendrix's "Midnight" opened with a solid funk groove laid down by Cecil Brooks, III - assisted by Candido, then by Davis.  James Carter took off -screaming and twisting - and Burell switched from grand to back to electric
in order to match Carter's intensity. Dick Griffin took over onColtrane's- Equinox.   His warmth flowed over the
audience --- comfortable and knowing.  Each note was just right. This composition was the most familiar of the set - and provided a platform for beautiful and moving contributions.  Candido's solo was a mini-masterpiece -mainly performed with his fingertips - he brought the volume down, and commanded absolute attention.  James Carter used sounds the way Lester Bowie did - coaxing sounds from his instrument and blending them into his melodic exploration - different than Griffin, and a good foil. And during his solo, Davis wrapped his arms around the music, the way hisfingers wrap around his instrument - with total control and tremendous tenderness.

The set ended with a Davis original "Ans" - a mantra that seemed inspired by late Coltrane - a simple, intense vamp, provided for sheets of expression -everyone listened carefully and found a place on the spectrum to be heard. It was Davis' first visit in a while - his last trip, scheduled for 9/13 hadbeen cancelled and this tune was dedicated to New York.

Davis put together a beautiful evening of music -- we need more music like this --   Davis enlisted the support of an all star cast, elder statesmen, and younger too, willing to listen, and to explore.

Art Davis - always teaching.  Thanks Art.

Photos and articles from the Knitting Factory in New York City.

Dr Davis at the Knitting Factory in New York City.	Dr. Art Davis and The Circle of Five performing.	Circle of Five's Dick Griffin, trombone.	Circle of Five's Dave Burrell, keyboard and acoustic piano.
Circle of Five's Candido, congas.	Circle of Five's James Carter, woodwinds.	Circle of Five's Cecil Brooks III, percussion.	Special thanks to Cecil McBee for generously lending his acousic bass to Dr. Davis for the event.
Friends at rehearsal, Michael Carven, precussionist and Mala Waldron, singer and daughter of Mal Waldron, last accompanist of Billie Holliday.	B.E.T. (Black Entertainment Television) interviewing Dr. Davis for an upcomming Jazz segment.	In admiration of the resilience of New Yorkers.
New York Times: click above to read article.	Time Out New York: click above to read article.	Village Voice: click above to read article.

29th Annual IAJE International Conference

On Friday, January 11th, of this year, Dr. Art Davis held a seminar, Function Of The Bass In The Rythm Section and discussed his book The Art Davis System For Double Bass.

Dr. Davis addresses IAJE.

IAJE President Elect, David Buke presented Dr. Davis with the Certificate Of Appreciation For Outstanding Service To Jazz Education.

Orange County Register Newspaper Article On Dr. Davis

click on image for larger view (reprinted by permission of author)

Dr. Davis' Tribute To John Coltrane At The World Stage

Dr. Davis and his band played to a full house. Making up his group were:

From left to right: Robert Perkins(drummer), Isaac Smith (trombone) sat in for a couple of tunes, Richard Grant (trumpet), not shown, Bill Madison and Doug Web.

75th Anniversary John Coltrane Festival
Was held at the Beverly Hills Wilshire Hotel. Some of the guests in attendance were:

From left to right: Robert Hurst (Bassist),Geri Allen (Singer,Pianist),Horace Silver (Composer,Pianist),and George Bohannon (Trombonist).

CLICK HERE FOR 2ND NEWS PAGE

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UPCOMING EVENTS
Note: listed are only those appearances and events that are open to the public. Dr. Davis plays often in studio settings, private parties, etc. which will not be listed here. You may contact him if you wish to find out what he's been up to lately..

Date	Event/Concert	Location/Contacts
Dr Art Davis Live at the world famous Catalina Bar and Grill was earlier in 2005 it was not removed by the previous webmaster.
Come back soon for further announcements. New posting comming soon.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR LINKS TO JAZZ  PLACES ON THE INTERNET.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS ANNUAL B.A.S.S. AWARDS BANQUET

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