"They Say It's Spring", is a tune composed by Bob Haymes and Marty Clark, and recorded by the great vocalist/pianist Blossom Dearie. My friend  Kristen introduced me to this tune, and we are preparing it to play on some upcoming performances. I really like this tune. It's a traditional standard type of tune, but has a good melody and interesting harmony, and the lyrics are great, too.

This is a sample of me playing a solo piano version at my hotel gig here in Greenville. The sound quality isn't great, but I was pleased with the interpretation. Kind of old style, but groovy.

Kristen will be performing this and several other great tunes, with my trio, now expanded to a quartet with the addition of Peter Dimery on sax, along with Ron Brendle on bass, and Justin Watt on drums. September 14, 2023. See the link below.

The quartet will be performing my original compostions. It always great performing with the guys. And the museum is a wonderful, intimate space for live music, and for an interesting cultural experience.

Come and see us!

Keith Davis Quartet, with guest vocalist Kristen Collins

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

Ron Free is a great drummer! He's another old friend, who I've known for at least 35 years. Ron is from Charleston, SC, and his life story is fascinating. He tells that story in his recently published memoir, The Lamb and the Dove: Memoirs of a Jazz Drummer. Ron recounts his story from beginning to learn to play as a boy in Charleston, through his life in New York City in the 1950's, and on into the present day. It is fascinating. It's like he's sitting with you telling his story. It's hard to put down. I highly recommend it.  

Ron was involved in the early NYC loft scene. There is a very cool coffee table style book about this called, The Jazz Loft Project, by Sam Stephenson. Lots of photos, interviews, etc. It is also fascinating.

Ron is a beautiful guy, a great musician, and a wonderful storyteller. I think you will dig this great conversation, and his book.

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

Al Sergel is a master drummer/percussionist, composer, bandleader, and educator, among other things.

He's also a great friend. I always look forward to the chance to play with Al, and this is a great conversation.

He has lots of great things to share here about his experience, learning, teaching, performing.

His energy is infectious and I know you'll dig it!

Here's how to find him: Al Sergel

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

Satoshi Takeishi is another old friend, who I'm happy to have here! Satoshi is a great drummer, percussionist, and composer.

He has played, toured and recorded with lots of great musicians, including Ray Barretto, Carlos ‘Patato’ Valdes, Eliane Elias, Marc Johnson, Eddie  Gomez, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Anthony Braxton, Mark Murphy,  Herbie Mann, Paul Winter Consort, Rabih Abu Khalil, Toshiko Akiyoshi Big  Band.

Currently, he is working on several interesting projects, which we talk about in the interview, including working with his wife, Shoko, who is a fine pianist and composer.

Satoshi and I met at Berklee in 1982. It's interesting that we're still having the same conversation all these years later.

Come and join the conversation.

Satoshi Takeishi

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

Thought I'd start putting some of my tunes up here for you to check out. This tune, Some September Sunday, I wrote last October...but seriously, I wrote it last September on a beautiful Sunday morning when I was getting ready to play at a memorial concert for a close musician friend who left us too soon and too suddenly. I woke up thinking about it on this beautiful August morning here in South Carolina, and decided to share it with you.

If you like this tune, and want to learn it, I can share it with you, and even teach you how to play it.

I offer lessons online and in person. I also offer free consultations.

Keithdavismusic.com

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

Sonny Emory is one of my oldest friends. He also happens to be a master drummer! When we were in college together, playing in the Jazz band, his dream was to play with Earth, Wind, and Fire. And he did it! Sonny currently tours with Eric Clapton, and also tours with Bruce Hornsby. His list of studio and performance credits is long and impressive. He's on a Steely Dan record, one of my favorite things that he's done!

Sonny talks about his experiences performing, touring and recording with the greats, and shares some important insights into what it takes to perform at this level.

He's also a composer, and talks about honing his skills with Verdine White, (Earth, Wind and Fire).

Sonny is also an educator, and we get into that, too.

This is a great conversation with an old friend. Check it out!

For more about Sonny: Sonny Emory

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

What's the most important thing to learn? I think it's preparing yourself to show up for that first gig, and be totally prepared for it.

It means a lot more than just knowing all the bits and pieces, like scales, chords, technique, knowing tunes, etc. It covers all that and a lot more.

This will be our first topic of conversation in this course and it will set the stage for all the other topics we will cover.

 See the link below!

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

Meet Martin Bejerano! Martin is an amazing pianist, composer and educator. He spent 20 years playing with the great Roy Haynes Trio. This band was nominated for a Grammy Award for the the recording, Fountain of Youth. He also played in Russell Malone's group for eight years. Along with these luminaries, Martin has played with a whole roster of Jazz greats.

An award winning composer as well, Martin is a two-time winner of the prestigious "New Jazz Works" composition and ensemble development grant by Chamber Music America in 2010 and 2017, as well as the “Bacardi Choice” commission by the Dranoff International 2 Piano Foundation and Bacardi, Int. in 2013.

Along with these accomplishments, Martin serves as head of the Jazz Piano department at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

He's featured on several recent recordings as well. You can read more about Martin at his website: Martin Bejerano.

It turns out that we have some friends in common, not unusual in the Jazz world. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Martin Bejerano!

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

Here I talk about some of the students that I've helped to get into the Jazz program at their school. They all come to me from different

backgrounds and with different interests. What they share is an interest in learning more about Jazz, but not only that. As you will hear, one student is a songwriter who wants to improve her writing and producing skills. One is particularly interested in Jazz. another is already skilled at Afro-Cuban music, and wants to learn about Jazz, but also how to improve his performance of afro-Cuban style music.

Check it out!

I offer private instruction as well as the upcoming Keys to Jazz Bootcamp. I also offer free consultations if you have questions.

keithdavismusic.com

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement

Hi Parents and Students. I want to tell you about a new online program I will be offering. It's called Keys to Jazz Bootcamp.

This program is for anyone who wants to learn to play Jazz! It's particularly designed for kids, middle school and high school age,

who want to play in Jazz Band at school, or are trying to get into a school Jazz program , or just want to play music with their friends.

You can listen to interviews with some of my current students, and their parents, who attend our local Fine Arts Center. These kids are in a

Jazz program where they get to play in ensembles with other kids, and they receive class instruction and private instruction.

It's a very successful program, with many kids going on to college music programs, and many eventually become performers and/or teachers, as well.

I'm excited to present this program. Teaching this music is something I'm passionate about!

Remember that I'm also available for private study online, as well.

I offer free consultations if you want to talk with me about any of this.

Keithdavismusic.com

I am available for online or in person study.

Reach out to me at: [email protected]

Keith Davis Music

Check out my new Substack: Sound The Gong: Music and Movement