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EVERY THURS 6:30 - 8:30 @ DOMINION ON QUEEN, 500 QUEEN ST. W. toronto
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. 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". More info on John T. Davis at www.johntdavis.ca PEACE ! |
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