Jamie Davis
Jamie Davis
Jamie Davis' musical
exposure began at a time when the creativity of musical variety and styles were
quickly broadening. His father's Pentecostal Church provided Jamie with a
primary focus of spiritual music. By the time he was in elementary school, Jamie
started singing in the church choir and soon after began performing as its
soloist. Being gifted with such a rich baritone voice, Jamie's family allowed
him every opportunity to make use of his talent. By age 13, a band composed
mostly of extended family members and friends was formed. The band afforded him
opportunities to experiment with such secular forms as spiritually tamed ballads
and early rhythm and blues. Jamie's musical tastes were deepened and broadened
under the influences of older siblings, especially a sister who introduced him
to jazz and had him listening to the "soul" sounds and styling of artists such
as Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Lou Rawls. These singers formed the basis for
the next step of his progressing interest, the "soul" centered jazz of those
years being played by Milt Jackson, Horace Silver and especially Jimmy Smith.
At Ohio State University, Jamie majored in music and became a
member of the "Chamber Players", a group which performed a variety of classical
choral music sung in varied languages. The university experience added one more
dimension to his diverse and enlarging musical education.
In 1975, Jamie arrived in the San Francisco Bay area, where
he continued his career by forming two groups simultaneously -"Jamco" a rhythm
and blues band and the "Jamie Davis Quartet" - which together allowed him to
exploit the wide range of his vocal talent. Over the years up to the present,
Jamie has performed scores of "casuals" appearing with such renowned musicians
as Milt Jackson, Eddie Henderson, Dave Lieberman, Melba Moore and Pharoah
Sanders.
Two European tours in 1998 included performances in Paris,
Sicily, Rome Genoa, Venice and Milan, where he recorded a CD as the featured
singer of the group "High Standards".
The Count Basie Orchestra acquired Jamie's talent in January
of 2000. He now tours and performs with this world famous orchestra from small
private venues to grand Jazz Festivals. His first solo CD, "It's All About Love"
was released in February 2002 with rave reviews. This CD features all beautiful
love ballads, which is Jamie's forte'. In between tours, he will be in the
studio to begin another CD project.