Born in 1959, Willie Davis began his piano lessons in the 6th grade, leaving school early to make his 2:30 lesson with Mrs. Spurlin, the wife of the Baptist preacher. While encouraging popular tunes with a patient approach, she must have lit a fire in his desire to boogie. Spending the majority of his musical life in New Orleans, Willie inherited the bouncing, party feel and the laid back danceable rhythms of the music.
Thirty-five years later Willie is playing serious licks in New Orleans and New York City. Since leaving New Orleans, where he had played with artist such as Sky Covington and Warren Batiste, at venues including the Funky Butt, Sweet Lorraines and literally every club in between, piano for the big band at JAZZ FEST, plus nightly at the picturesque Royal Cafe in the French Quarter, he has settled on a more permanent basis in New York City. In New York he has played many venues, notably, The Carlyle Hotel, The Waldorf, Pratt Mansion, The Prince George Ballroom, Webster Hall, The Granite Room & regularly at Don Veitia's (46th st & 2nd Ave) and at the Empire (22nd & 10th Ave) [See SHOWDATES & TIMES page]. He has played intimate parties for Barbara Walters and her colleagues, has been selected by COMEDY CENTRAL'S Stephen Colbert for a commercial for PEPSI, and played grand corporate functions for HBO, Miramax, the Bank of Montreal, American Airlines, and the Kaballah Center of New York, to name just a few, all while working on scores for films, plays and musicals. He has been in millions of homes via appearances on the Discovery Channel's Party Planner show.
Willie loves to play classical piano but his taste lies primarily in jazz. Ellington, Gershwin, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and Miles Davis are some of Willie's favorites, but he claims Dr. John as his professional 'mentor', and that brothel-born style as one to emulate. Fat's Waller is another of his heros.
Willie continues the learning experience with fervor, studying with some of the greatest musicians in the world, winning scholarships in jazz studies from University in New Orleans to weekly jams with New York City bebop legend Barry Harris.
Willie is a black belt in karate and is proud of his boxing achievements. He still enjoys motorcycles, horses and even cliff diving but is primarily devoted to playing piano. All 12 tracks of his last jazz CD featuring MAOR, can be heard at www.maor.biz ---Scroll past MAOR's dance music to "Pop the Jazz".
For booking solo, duet, trio or any other combination, e-mail williedavispiano@yahoo.com or call 718-986-5711.
PLEASE WAIT ONE MINUTE FOR THE MUSIC FROM THE CD--'TO VOODOO WITH LOVE All 12 tracks of Willie's latest jazz CD, featuring MAOR, can be heard at www.maor.biz -- Scroll past MAOR's dance music to "Pop the Jazz".
