Xavier Davis

Xavier Davis (born 1971 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and music educator who leads the Xavier Davis Trio. In addition to performing with the Christian McBride Big Band and other groups as a side man. In 2014 he was appointed Associate Professor of Jazz Piano at Michigan State University.^[1] He previously taught at the Juilliard Jazz program at the Juilliard School for six years.^[2] He performed on the Grammy-winning album The Good Feeling with the Christian McBride Big Band. Davis was the Musical Director for the Boys Choir of Harlem for the 1999-2000 season. He appeared on the television series Cosby as a pianist.^[2]

Awards

Davis became the first person to twice receive a New Works Grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation as part of Chamber Music America.

Biography

Davis came from a family of music educators, so he had an early start in music, studying piano at age 4, trombone at 8, and touring Europe before High School. He attended Interlochen Arts Academy for high school.

While performing with his college ensemble at the 1994 International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Boston, legendary vocalist Betty Carter caught his performance and brought him to New York to work exclusively with her group, the Betty Carter Trio. Davis recognizes former Juilliard Jazz faculty chair and drummer Carl Allen, James Williams, and Billy Hart as mentors.^[2]

As composer/arranger

As a composer, arranger, Davis has worked for

• Carl Allen,
• Regina Carter
• Hans Schuman

As producer

Xavier has produced albums, film and commercial music including:

• "Wise Children" by Tom Harrell (2004) (Bluebird)
• "Easy to Love by Lizzie Thomas (2013) (CD Baby)

As sideman

Xavier Davis has performed and recorded on more than 50 albums as a sideman for:

• Betty Carter
• Freddie Hubbard
• Tom Harrell
• Christian McBride
• Regina Carter
• Stefon Harris
• Abbey Lincoln
• Wynton Marsalis
• Don Byron
• Nat Adderley
• Nicholas Payton
• Jon Faddis
• Jimmy Greene
• Steve Turre
• Al Foster
• Jeremy Pelt
• Dion Parson
• Ron Blake

Davis plays with:

• The New Jazz Composers Octet.^[3]
• The Christian McBride Big Band
• The Ron Blake Quartet

Discography

As leader

• Dance of Life^[4]
• The Innocence of Youth^[5][6]

References

1. "Renowned jazz pianist joins ranks at MSU". The State News. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
2. "Xavier Davis | MSU Music Faculty | MSU College of Music". music.msu.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
3. Camphire, Greg (2008-12-21). "CD/LP Review: The Turning Gate". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
4. JazzTimes Review
5. JazzTimes Review
6. West, Paul (2002-08-08). "CD/LP Review: Innocence of Youth". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2010-07-18.