Richard Davis

American jazz bassist [double/string bass] and composer
Born on 15 April 1930 in Chicago, IL, USA. died on 6 September 2023 in Madison, WI, USA

Richard Davis' journey with the bass began at the age of 15. His education in music took place at DuSable High School and VanderCook College of Music. A move to New York happened in 1954, leading to work with Sarah Vaughan from 1957 to 1962. Over 600 albums bear his name, including sessions with Eric Dolphy, Andrew Hill, Tony Williams and Booker Ervin. Collaborations extended to Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Bonnie Raitt. "Heavy Sounds", co-led by Elvin Jones, marked his debut as a leader in 1967. Membership in the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra spanned from 1966 to 1972 and the New York Bass Violin Choir in the late 1960s and '70s. The late 1980s saw the founding of the trio New York Unit. Recognition for his work came in the form of a Jazz Master award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2014. A new chapter began in 1977 when Richard left New York to teach music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a position held until retirement in 2016. The Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists was created in 1993 and the Madison chapter of the Center for the Healing of Racism in 2000.