Jesse Davis, a former student at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts with Ellis Marsalis, is one of the most well-respected musicians in New Orleans. Davis is a leader of his own band and has performed with jazz legends such as Jack McDuff. Cecil Payne. Junior Mance. Kenny Barron. Cedar Walton. Nicholas Payton. In 1996, he toured with Charles McPherson and Phil Woods in the band Sax Machine. Davis, who has been playing saxophone from the age of 11 when he was given his first instrument by his tuba-playing father, initially hoped to become a professional football player. After breaking his collarbone, Davis turned to music and was awarded a full scholarship to Northeastern Illinois University to study music. After completing his studies at William Patterson College, Wayne, New Jersey, he transferred to the New School, New York. He studied with Ira Gitler, a jazz historian. He was still a student and received awards for solo performances at Notre Dame. Wichita State. N.Y.U. Southern University. Loyola. He was awarded the Down Beat Music Festival’s Most Outstanding Musician Award in 1989. Davis has been recording with his own band since 1991. He led the band to more than 50 shows in Spain and Italy in 1993, 1994 and 1995. In 1996, he returned to New Orleans. Davis made his acting debut in Kansas City’s Robert Altman film. Allmusic
