John T. Davis, better known by friends as "T" has a heart as big as his music !
Without a doubt, he is definitely one of Toronto's rare musical gems, born in Portsmouth Virginia with performance
experience spanning from North America, South America, South Pacific, West Indies and yes...right here in Toronto.
I was fortunate to meet "T" back in the early '80's at the Christian Resource Centre in Regent Park.
Everyday that I passed on my way from work I heard a warm organ reaching out to the street . I was adventurous enough
finally one day to venture in. Now at that time "T" was directing a youth program out of Dixon Hall, called
Black Perspectives. Voice and instrumentation were the main topics. I too became one of th 10 to 15 youths including
vocals , flute, horn, sax, guitar and drum kit. These sessions were our hangout for most of the summer . "T" shared his
experiences and encouraged us with various styles of great music such as gospel, jazz, R & B, blues, as well as our own
musical ideas, that led to our own compositions. "T" shared a lot with us from the actual music to registering with Socan.
It was obvious to see love and music simultaneously when in his presence. I noticed then, that he had a gift for creating
unusual rhythms with unexpected accents evident in his track "Took the Time To Wait" on his Last of the Blues CD.
This composition was created during his time with the band called Dusk, including Gene Evans, Bob Boyer and Ron Hedland..
During John T's performing career he has contributed to and/or produced several recordings. His film credits (acting and making music), include an extensive list ; The Blues Brothers
2000, featuring James Brown and Sam Moore, Joe Torre Story - TV series documentary, Gospel Hallelujah-CBC special, FX the
series, PSI Factor, Strawberry Ice-Toller Cransten for CBC, All That Glitters-Mariah Carey Film, just to mention a few.
In June 2001, T was also nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Independent Theatre Award for Best Music and Sound Production for"
The 3 Degree Cabaret".
One of my favorites in particular is a piece created for the film "Dinner at the Edge" an
art piece by Alliance Atlantis produced for Bravo TV. This is an unusual film without dialogue, and makes use of various
sound forms throughout the production. The musical piece
created by "T", Nadine Rodent and David New is
called "DATE" or "Nadine's Song". It's played by "T"
on piano with Vocals by Nadine. It contains non-language vocal expressions of increasing rising emotional intensity then
explodes in a frenzy of passionate wailing to close out the film. I like that, it's really moving without needing words.
John T feels that the innovations of James Brown is as
organized, arranged, intense and as creative in rhythm as music by the great Duke Ellington. He was honoured to be
complimented on his organ playing by the godfather of soul himself during the filming of Blues Brothers 2000.
James Brown has been one of his major mentors since his teen years: remember " Please, please, please please!
" , "Try Me", Mash Potato, USA", "Papa's Got a Brand New Band", "I Got The Feeling", "
Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud". James Brown changes things, cause after Mash Potato USA, drummers never played the same anymore.
His respect for great players is mentioned in his composition "Don't Yank The Mat Jazz Rap 90's (2,000) Part One"
on his current CD, which mentions the importance of knowing works from players like Thelonius Monk, Sonny Stitt, Miles Davis,
Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. He finally mentions the great Rahsaan Roland Kirk, who mastered playing several woodwind
instruments, also played two or three at once from time to time. It's a musical, lyrical, comical, informative rap style poem
about musicians and non-musicians performance situations on stage and off.
"I will be the first to say
I got a lot to learn -Takes a lot of work to learn to burn, can't learn it without heart we know for show - Once you think you
got it, time to learn some mo"
To emphasize "T"'s huge heart and natural intuition,
I have to mention something that has always stayed in my memory over the years. I recall during the 80's he was taking a trip to Texas.
He was requested to coach Rex Ellis, (relative of the great renowned saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis) on the bass. This was a special and
unique role as Rex, being non-hearing had to feel the vibrations of the instrument while sitting on the amplifieer to detect the
pitch modulations. With John T's guidance, Ellis could express his musical voice through the bass. Joh T met Pee Wee Ellis and the
late great Ester Phillips while they were in Toronto appearing at the Colonial Tavern on downtown's Yonge St. in the Seventies.
They came to one of T's venues after their performance when he was appearing with his band, Dusk. They were especially impressed
by the song "Took The Time To Wait".
Conversation with John T would be incomplete without his mention of the
close relationship between music and spirituality. Well, there's nothing like witnessing that spirit moving through John T. Davis
as he simultaneously plays three levels of organ, while pumping bass pedals from below and tinkling piano keys at his side all in
one musical phrase. Wow! he truly is blessed and gifted.
These days John T Davis has his hands full with six different recording projects underway starting with a
jazz / blues solo organ project.. His CD entitled "John T. Davis and Friends Last of the Blues" can be purchased at the following locations:
www.cdbaby.com / johntdavis
Pages Books Store, 256 Queen St. W.
Paradise Bound , 270 Augusta Ave.
SAMS , 300 Yonge St. (at Dundas)
Sonic Boom, 512 Bloor St. W.
To find out about T's Hammond B3 Organ clinics on Saturday afternoons call (416) 703-9187 or
email at johnt@johntdavis.ca, pick up a CD, or you
may catch him on one of the local television broadcasts. Also listen up for T in the new
Hyundai jingle. Either way you'll enjoy John T. Davis' contageous and endless vibrant
energy and his obvious love love love of music.
PEACE !
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