Jazz singer Jamie Davis reunites with Count Basie Orchestra

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, May 14, 2009 | by Rich Freedman

As a former vocalist with the U.S. Army, Jamie Davis got used to travel. Good thing. Davis may be a household name, but those houses are in Europe.

"We have special places here where people are into jazz," Davis said. "But, generally, the states are way behind the emotions and feelings of people in Europe. Europe just loves jazz. Asia does also. That's why all those cats like 'Trane (John Coltrane), Dizzy (Gillespie) and Quincy (Jones) loved Europe."

Bottom line: "If we want to get exposure, you have to be willing to travel," Davis said.

Close to home

That won't be an issue on Friday, when Davis, a new Pleasant Hill resident, performs with the Count Basie Orchestra at the Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek. The show benefits the Generations of Jazz school programs in Oakland.

Davis performed with the orchestra from 2000 to 2003, and he obviously didn't burn any bridges during that time. It was merely time to go solo, Davis said.

"When I was in the Basie band, I was just a utility singer. I'd do three songs with the band," he said. "Now, when I front big bands, I normally do eight to 10 songs per set. It's a lot of huffin' and puffin,' believe me. I'm in control of it now. I sing whatever charts I want. It makes it easier."

Though Davis never met Basie, who died in 1984, he understood the charisma and talent from performing and talking to those who did.

"I think it was his personality," Davis said. "He was not only musically astute and a genius, he was a minimalist. He played less so he could make a light shine around everyone else."

It's often more about the musician than the music, said Davis, a partner in Unity Music, a music production company.

"It's about making people feel good," Davis said. "You can be a great player, but if you're the biggest you know what in the world, I'll personally stay away from you. Yes, you can play. Yes, you're a genius. But if you can't get along with people and you're a pain to be around, see you later. There's enough problems in the world."

Davis has also played with Nancy Wilson, Patti Austin, George Benson, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney and Dianne Reeves. He's performed in Paris, Monte Carlo, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Oslo, Lisbon, Italy, Istanbul and Albania.

He soon returns to Italy, Paris, Istanbul and Albania.

"You try to go there and create a new audience," Davis said. "If you do well, they invite you back."

Lean times

Times get tough in a struggling economy even for someone with a ton of credits, Davis said.

"People are cutting back on budgets. It's very lean," he said. "Even when you go to Europe, you have to get a key date and try to work around that and get people to join in and pay the airfare. It's a reflection of the world right now."

Pride has to be shelved during the trying times, Davis said. Musicians can't sit around waiting for the phone to ring.

"I don't think anything is worth starving for," he said. "Some can go on the street and let people throw pennies in a hat and that's cool. It takes a certain kind of mentality. I'm not that person."

Davis moved to Pleasant Hill from San Francisco last September. He lived in the Sunset District but rarely saw the sun.

"My home now is wonderful, beautiful," Davis. "I come here across the Bay Bridge and there is a sun." Concert Preview-- WHAT: Count Basie Orchestra with featured vocalist Jamie Davis-- WHEN: Friday, May 22,

7 p.m.-- WHERE: Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, 1801 Lacassie Ave.-- TICKETS: $35 general, $50 includes preferred seating and CD; 925-943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.org