Description
Katherine Davis uses Blues music to teach people about African American history and culture. By performing “from a Blues Woman’s Perspective”, she hopes that her performances and workshops inspire audiences of all ages to want to learn more about music and about the African American experience. Katherine has regularly appeared at Chicago events such as the Chicago Blues Festival and the Taste of Chicago, and has performed at clubs such as Andy's, Kingston Mines, and Buddy Guy’s House of Blues. She brought the Blues to universities across the country through the National Association of Campus Activities. She has performed at Blues festivals throughout Europe and at international events such as the Montreal Blues Festival. In 2017, she was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame. Katherine is the lead educator at the Smart Museum of the University of Chicago.
Work Sample
In August 2019, Katherine Davis and several musicians performed at the New Rhythm Arts Center in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago. Katherine has played with numerous Blues musicians at various venues throughout Chicagoland. She can put on an engaging show with as few as one other musician, to a full band. She enjoys performing for small intimate venues as well as large crowds. This video is 5:39 minutes long.
This YouTube shows Katherine Davis and her Blues in the Schools students performing on June 7, 2019, at the Chicago Blues Festival. Katherine, her band, and her students performed 10 songs before a live public audience. This performance is the culmination of months of preparation and rehearsal as part of the Blues in the Schools project. When she runs the Blues in the Schools program, she uses my experience to help prepare the students for their stage presentations. Performers are Katherine Davis, the students of Stone Academy, drummer Caleb Martinez, guitarist Alan Burroughs, pianist Mahmoud Khan, saxophonist Leo Milan, drummer Tino Cortez. Total length: 19 minutes, 38 seconds.
This You Tube show live performances in Turkey in 2014. It features Katherine Davis with Jimmy Burns and the Dave Herrero Trio performing “Fever”, live in Turkey as part of the 25th annual Efes Pilsen Blues Festival. Katherine Davis (vocals), Jimmy Burns (guitar), Dave Herrero (guitar), Andrew Blaze Thomas (drums), and Ari Seder. This video in Turkey gives you a sense of Katherine’s live music performance, and her ability to interact with the audience and help them understand and connect with Blues music. Total length: 8 minutes, 56 seconds
With my work samples, I tried to show the range of the type of performances I like to do. One sample shows my students and I performing at the Chicago Blues Festival. I love teaching young people about music and especially Blues music. Most of my life has been dedicated to helping people to appreciate Blues music and to better understand the African American experience. Another sample shows a smaller intimate performance at the New Rhythm Arts Center. A third sample shows a live performance I did in Turkey before a large audience. I love bringing Chicago Blues music to people all over the world.
History
I regularly appear at Chicago events such as the Chicago Blues Festival and the Taste of Chicago. I have performed at clubs such as Andy's, Kingston Mines, and Buddy Guy’s House of Blues. I brought the Blues to universities across the country through the National Association of Campus Activities. I have performed at Blues festivals throughout Europe and at international events such as the Montreal Blues Festival. In 2017, I was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame. I am also the lead educator at the Smart Museum of the University of Chicago.
Artistic Vision
I use Blues music to teach people about African American history and culture. By performing “from a Blues Woman’s Perspective”, my hope is that my performances and workshops inspire people to want to learn more about music and about the African American culture.
Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise
I love to adapt my performance to specific audiences. For many years, I performed at colleges and universities to help students become acquainted with the history of the Blues. I gently encourage audience participation, which helps create an experience that is both fun and educational. For over 20 years, I ran a Blues in the Schools project where I taught elementary aged children about the Blues by having them learn to perform Blues songs. The students have been able to perform several Blues songs before a live audience at the Chicago Blues Festival.
Name
Katherine Davis
Type
Individual Artist
Address
5839 W. Rice St., Unit 2
Chicago, Illinois 60651
Contact Person
Katherine Davis
matessoul@aol.com
773.919.6356
Web Site
https://www.bluessingerkatherinedavis.com/
Artistic Discipline(s)
Music
- Blues
Geographic Availability
Central Illinois
Chicago/Chicagoland
Northern Illinois
Southern Illinois
Western Illinois
Fee Ranges
For a local gig, the minimum would be $1,800 which would assume 2 - 3 musicians. For a tour gig, the fee would be $3,500 plus lodging and transportation.
Additional Services
Residencies
Workshops
Core Audience(s)
Adult
Children
Seniors
Youth