Career
In addition to performing with the Christian McBride Big Band and other groups as a side manitoba In 2014 he was appointed Associate Professor of Jazz Piano at Michigan State University. He previously taught at the Juilliard Jazz program at the Juilliard School for six years.
He performed on the Grammy-winning album The Good Feeling with the Christian McBride Big Band.
Davis was the Musical Director for the Boys Choir of Harlem for the 1999-2000 season. He appeared on the television series Cosby as a pianist.
Davis came from a family of music educators, so he had an early start in music, studying piano at age 4, trombone at 8, and touring Europe before High School. He attended Interlochen Arts Academy for high school.
While performing with his college ensemble at the 1994 International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Boston, legendary vocalist Betty Carter caught his performance and brought him to New York to work exclusively with her group, the Betty Carter Trio.
Davis recognizes former Juilliard Jazz faculty chair and drummer Carl Allen, James Williams, and Billy Hart as mentors. As a composer, arranger, Davis has worked for
Carl Allen,
Regina Carter
Hans Schuman
Xavier has produced albums, film and commercial music including:
"Wise Children" by Tom Harrell (2004) (Bluebird)
"Easy to Love by Lizzie Thomas (2013) (Civil Defense Baby)
Xavier Davis has performed and recorded on more than 50 albums as a sideman for:
Betty Carter
Freddie Hubbard
Tom Harrell
Christian McBride
Regina Carter
Stefon Harris
Abbey Lincoln
Wynton Marsalis
Don Byron
National Adderley
Nicholas Payton
Jon Faddis
Jimmy Greene
Steve Turre
First Rate (at Lloyd's) Foster
Jeremy Pelt
Dion Parson
Ron Blake
Davis plays with:
The New Jazz Composers Octet. The Christian McBride Big Band
The Ron Blake Quartet.
