Photo of Alvin Davis

Alvin Davis

General Info

  • Genre: Jazz / Nu-Jazz / Soul

    Location Birmingham, Midlands, Un

    Profile Views: 21240

    Last Login: 4/15/2013

    Member Since 4/30/2006

    Record Label Hornblower

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    COMMOTION is the latest chapter in an evolving story that began when Alvin Davis first started playing Cornet in secondary school, before moving on to the saxophone which quickly became a primary instrument. Ever since he first picked up a cornet as a 13-year-old schoolboy, in Handsworth, Birmingham. The cornet soon became a trumpet and Alvin found himself at the Euphonius School of Music (ESM), under the tutelage of veteran player Jonathan Johnson. Graduating from the ESM with distinction, Alvin soon discovered what he had been looking for - the expressive sound of the alto saxophone, that has become his voice... 'Payin his dues' working with such Giants like ,Edwin Starr, Neville Staples, Alton Ellis, Steel Pulse, classical star Nigel Kennedy,and R&B artists like Jackie Graham proved an excellent training ground. Following several years of touring, the turning point in Alvin Daviss career came after working with '80s pop chart toppers Fun boy three: "I started to get frustrated as a sideman, and I felt I had something to contribute so I started writing," he recalls. An initial record deal with an independent label resulted in his 1992 solo debut "Let it Blow" A year later, Alvin Davis was licensed to Sony Records in the U.S and released the second album "Let the vibes decide". The following album, 1995's "Take Flight" was a best-seller and added more lustre to his ever-growing reputation as a masterful musician, with an identifiable style that fused funk, Reggae, R&B and jazz. The albums reached chart heights, both getting top 10 places in R&R and Gavin , this further expanded Alvin Daviss popularity. and he soon began achieving international success, resulting in a first visit to the US. The multi-talented saxophonist, vocalist, producer and songwriter (who wrote or co-wrote eleven tunes on the album) enthusiastically agrees that COMMOTION "is my most fully realized album. I feel I've succeeded in incorporating more of an urban flavour, 'cause musically my roots are firmly in R&B and reggae. I grew up listening to Stevie (Wonder), Earth, Wind & Fire, Grover Washington Jr., Ronnie Laws, and these days you'll find me listening to Jill Scott, D'Angelo and other neo soul artists. Indeed, COMMOTION boasts a stellar cast of current musical stars, including songbird Lupa who provides guest vocals on the memorable cut 'Love for sale'; Bassist and solo artist Peter Reid, who can be heard on "Ghetto Child," a tune co-written by the late great Curtis Mayfield; and industry favourite Lester Davis, featured on the soulful opening cut "Try my love" and "Big time brother". Other notable contributors to Alvin davis's latest artistic triumph include pianist Steve Sheriff of the innovative Jazz team Ty's and musician/producer Gary Graham who co-wrote two tunes on the album. Alvin adds that working with renowned bassist Peter Reid on the groove-flavoured "Ghetto Child" was very special. "I didn't try to make this record different, but it's true that it has a more intense, funkier feel to it than my previous albums. It has more of an edge, which is interesting, because I didn't plan it that way - I think that's just the way my music's evolving." Alvin davis, one of the most interesting instrumentalists to emerge on the contemporary music scene in the past decade, is waxing lyrical about COMMOTION, his latest tour-de-force, and fourth overall album. Excited about the prospects for COMMOTION, Alvin davis says, "All I've ever tried to do was make records that I loved personally and hope that my audiences will love them too."
  • Members

  • Influences

    Bob marley, Marvin gaye, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Curtis Mayfield,Quincy, Prince, Earth wind and Fire, Traine, Grover, Sanborn, Cannonball, Mighty Diamonds, My ma and Da (god rest his soul) BWOY... you get the flavor.
  • Sounds Like

    'All of the above'

Comments

Post a comment...
  • NotstrictlyJazz

     Hi Alvin, how's things. I hope the new year is bringing you some more great opportunities. Let me know when you are gigging locally. I'd love to come and check out and support what you are doing. 
    All the best Delano 

    1 year ago
  • NotstrictlyJazz

     Hi Alvin here is a slideshow on Youtube with some photo's taken at our gig at Birmingham Symphony Hall on 15/07/2011 Thanks man as always it's a fantastic experience working with you. Delano 
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37rvv8vdef0

    1 year ago
  • keeefster

    Hi mate long time no see......great to see you doing good things 

    1 year ago
  • NotstrictlyJazz

     Catch Alvin live with Delano Mills NotStrictlyJazz Quartet 

    Time 15 July · 17:30 - 19:00
    Location: Symphony Hall Birmingham

    Broad Street
    Birmingham, United Kingdom

    The set is azixture of Jazz funk and fusion performed by

    Delano Mills: bass
    Alvin Davis: Saxophones
    Martin Trotman: Keyboards & Vocals
    Wayne Scott: Drums
    Guests: Courtney Barrett Guitar

    The set includes some tracks from Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Victor Bailey, Jeff Lorber, Billy Cobham Yellow jackets.

    Web site: www.delanomills.co.uk
    Email:nsjmusic@notstrictlyjazz.com

    Entrance is free
    Promoted by http://www.birminghamjazz.co.uk/

    Gig listing: http://livebrum.co.uk/41456

    1 year ago
  • The Mostly Jazz Festival

    Hi friends of Mostly Jazz Festival!

    We just wanted to check that you were heading to the park on 1st, 2nd

    1 year ago
  • The Mostly Jazz Festival

    Hi friends of Mostly Jazz Festival!

    We just wanted to check that you were heading to the park on 1st, 2nd

    1 year ago
  • katie

    Hi, my friend has been looking for one of your songs to buy it is original sin. We have been to every web site and can not find it could you please put it on here so we can buy it. Thanks

    2 years ago
  • Garry Gibbons

    Hey mate ... How's you keepin ?? Great gig sat .... Well enjoyed it .....

    2 years ago
  • CAren SPecchIo

    Enjoying your music.

    2 years ago
  • The Mostly Jazz Festival

    Hi Alvin Davis, Thought you might be in to the acts we've got playing at our festival on 3rd & 4th July in Moseley park Birmingham.... Its called "Mostly Jazz Festival " We've got some great acts playing including - Sun Ra Arkestra, Courtney Pine, Quantic, James Taylor Quartet, Portico Quartet, Led Bib, Polar Bear and loads more! also we have a great after party going on with Craig Charles & Quantic DJ sets! Hope to see you there! Speak soon! Mostly Jazz Festival

    2 years ago
10 of 150More

Clipboard

COMMOTION is the latest chapter in an evolving story that began when Alvin Davis first started playing Cornet in secondary school, before moving on to the saxophone which quickly became a primary instrument. Ever since he first picked up a cornet as a 13-year-old schoolboy, in Handsworth, Birmingham. The cornet soon became a trumpet and Alvin found himself at the Euphonius School of Music (ESM), under the tutelage of veteran player Jonathan Johnson. Graduating from the ESM with distinction, Alvin soon discovered what he had been looking for - the expressive sound of the alto saxophone, that has become his voice.

'Payin his dues' working with such Giants like ,Edwin Starr, Neville Staples, Alton Ellis, Steel Pulse, classical star Nigel Kennedy,and R&B artists like Jackie Graham proved an excellent training ground. Following several years of touring, the turning point in Alvin Daviss career came after working with '80s pop chart toppers Fun boy three: "I started to get frustrated as a sideman, and I felt I had something to contribute so I started writing," he recalls. An initial record deal with an independent label resulted in his 1992 solo debut "Let it Blow" A year later, Alvin Davis was licensed to Sony Records in the U.S and released the second album "Let the vibes decide". The following album, 1995's "Take Flight" was a best-seller and added more lustre to his ever-growing reputation as a masterful musician, with an identifiable style that fused funk, Reggae, R&B and jazz. The albums reached chart heights, both getting top 10 places in R&R and Gavin , this further expanded Alvin Daviss popularity. and he soon began achieving international success, resulting in a first visit to the US.

The multi-talented saxophonist, vocalist, producer and songwriter (who wrote or co-wrote eleven tunes on the album) enthusiastically agrees that COMMOTION "is my most fully realized album. I feel I've succeeded in incorporating more of an urban flavour, 'cause musically my roots are firmly in R&B and reggae. I grew up listening to Stevie (Wonder), Earth, Wind & Fire, Grover Washington Jr., Ronnie Laws, and these days you'll find me listening to Jill Scott, D'Angelo and other neo soul artists.

Indeed, COMMOTION boasts a stellar cast of current musical stars, including songbird Lupa who provides guest vocals on the memorable cut 'Love for sale'; Bassist and solo artist Peter Reid, who can be heard on "Ghetto Child," a tune co-written by the late great Curtis Mayfield; and industry favourite Lester Davis, featured on the soulful opening cut "Try my love" and "Big time brother". Other notable contributors to Alvin davis's latest artistic triumph include pianist Steve Sheriff of the innovative Jazz team Ty's and musician/producer Gary Graham who co-wrote two tunes on the album. Alvin adds that working with renowned bassist Peter Reid on the groove-flavoured "Ghetto Child" was very special.

"I didn't try to make this record different, but it's true that it has a more intense, funkier feel to it than my previous albums. It has more of an edge, which is interesting, because I didn't plan it that way - I think that's just the way my music's evolving." Alvin davis, one of the most interesting instrumentalists to emerge on the contemporary music scene in the past decade, is waxing lyrical about COMMOTION, his latest tour-de-force, and fourth overall album.

Excited about the prospects for COMMOTION, Alvin davis says, "All I've ever tried to do was make records that I loved personally and hope that my audiences will love them too."

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