Xavier Davis Quartet

About this event

Fri | Aug 28 Sets 7pm & 9pm | $25 Cover RESERVE TABLE About the Artist Xavier Davis’ professional career as a Jazz pianist took off when the legendary vocalist Betty Carter spotted his outstanding talent at the 1994 International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Boston while he was performing with his college ensemble. It was her who brought Xavier to New York, hiring him exclusively as the pianist of her working trio. Today, Xavier is one of the most accomplished Jazz pianists world wide. Having led master classes and clinics all over the world and coming from a family of music educators, passing on knowledge and skills to young musicians is very important to Xavier. As such, he is proud to be Associate Professor of Jazz Piano at Michigan State University. Xavier was also member of the teaching staff in the Jazz department of the Juilliard School of Music in New York for six years prior to that. Xavier’s development as a musician has been greatly influenced by the inspiration and guidance he has received from Carl Allen, James Williams, and Billy Hart, whom he sees and respects as his great mentors. In addition to Betty and Carl, Xavier has performed and recorded with many other world-famous Jazz artists like the legendary 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, and Jeremy Pelt among others. During the 1999 – 2000 season, Xavier worked with the Boy’s Choir of Harlem as their Musical Director. He also played keyboard for the television series “Cosby.” His talent has been featured on more than 50 albums. Xavier is part of the Christian McBride Big Band and was featured on Christian’s album ‘The Good Feeling’, which won a GRAMMY award in 2012. As a bandleader, Xavier has released two critically acclaimed albums – ‘Dance of Life’ and ‘The Innocence of Youth’. “The pianist [Xavier Davis]…