Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Bob Davis was born on July 26, 1927 in Cosmos, Minnesota and was directly inspired by the efforts of his mother, a pianist who frequently hit the road with touring bands. He began his music career as a drummer and by age 13 had been absorbed into a family band. Leaving home meant not only no longer backing up his mother, but a chance to play piano himself. By the age of 18, his piano styles were ahead of his time and he was playing improvisational jazz with some of the greats.

Davis spent a couple of years gigging with Herbie Fields prior to starting his own group, which was active through the ’50s and recorded for several small labels, The group featuring fellow Minneapolis drummer Bill Blakkestad gigged frequently around the Midwest, including Chicago, Illinois. Though influenced by Oscar Peterson and Bud Powell, he saw advantages in Nashville and established a relationship with guitarist and producer Chet Atkins on the 1953 Jazz from the Hills project that led to other session work.

He recorded three great albums, in addition to recording with Sarah Vaughn, Al Hirt, Dizzy Gillespie. He also was musical director for Playboy Clubs, taught as a music college & high school professor, and was a promoter and agent for music giants such as the Jacksons and Tina Turner. He continued playing jazz and ballads in concerts and clubs into his older years while living most of his life in Miami, Florida. After retiring at the age of 69, Bob continued to play incomparable jazz feats.

In his last days, pianist, educator, promoter and agent Bob Davis retired from music, suffering from bone cancer which robbed him of the joy of playing music.

More Posts: bandleader,history,instrumental,jazz,music,piano