We are back, and love RJ more than ever
Hello and welcome to the new, and improved blog dedicated to my, and your favorite Tri State based musician, the one, and only RJ Davis. As you may recall this blog was original created back in 2011. RJ had made an appearance at the 10th anniversary of 9/11, blessing us with an incredibly moving, historical performance that is still talked about in NYC. We were thrilled, and thought he was making a return to the stage. Back then RJ was dating a women that was less than happy about the admiration of his mostly female fan base, and RJ himself graciously emailed, and asked me to delete the blog, which of course I did. As fans, I'm sure we have all heard RJ's new releases. My hope is that it means that he will return to performances very soon. As before you are welcome to share your information about, stories of, and experiences with him.
This blog is dedicated by us, his fans to the amazingly talented, and gorgeous Robert Johnathan Davis, our RJ. Hopefully "Welcome back, because it's been far to long"
Angie.
Well thank you for the invite Angie. I purchased all of the new music, it's very different, but still is very him. I too hope that he has some performance dates set up. I can not wait to hear, and "see" him again.
ReplyDeleteDoes he have a website set up?
DeleteNothing found online, but with new music out. Hopefully soon more new music, a website, and performances!!
ReplyDelete❤️
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Ladies, and to you RJ wherever you may be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your email. I have a variety of articles about, and interviews with RJ. Can I add them here?
ReplyDeleteYes please do!!
DeleteJAZZIZ
ReplyDeleteChristian Savoy July 30, 2013
It was 1979 and I was a student at The New School for Social Research, an ardent fan of Jean-Luc Ponty. There was a concert at the Lincoln Center where JLP was going to feature pieces from his Enigmatic Ocean release, one of my favorite albums of all time. I was completely oblivious to the warm-up act because I was there to experience Jean-Luc Ponty but at the opening of the show there was a guitar at center stage positioned on a stand where a guitarist need only walk up behind the instrument and begin playing. There it was, its neck jutting at a 45 degree angle, waiting to be brought to life by an appropriate musician. Soon, a very young man accompanied by the other members of some group, bounced onto the stage amongst tentative applause. The young man waved appreciatively at the applause of recognition from the audience while the other musicians took their places at their respective instruments. Slung over the back of the kid was another guitar, presumably his principle instrument. To my surprise, the guy bent over the guitar positioned at center stage and began to wail out the opening notes to "Minds Eye " a piece that has to be one of the best works of jazz-fusion of all time. He played several bars of the opening theme then stepped back from the guitar on its stand, reached back over his shoulder, grabbed the guitar slung over his back whipped it around front and proceeded to crank out a solo that could bring tears to one's eyes. I didn't know who the artist was at the time but I knew that he was talented and I made a mental note to remember this artist for future reference. After his group completed his set, Jean-Luc Ponty took the stage and I instantly forgot about the warm-up band.
Several weeks later, a friend approached me and said that Bobby Davis was appearing at a club called the Blue Note and would I like to go see him? I replied, "Who's Bobby Davis?" Her response was, "Don't worry about it, I know you'll like him." I thought, what the hey.
After we were seated at our table and a round or two of drinks were served, the stage lights came up and there was, at center stage, a guitar on a stand positioned at a 45 degree angle, waiting for a guitarist to approach it from behind, grasp its neck and begin playing it for all it was worth, which is just what happened when some kid performer bounced onto the stage, wearing another guitar over his back, accompanied by the other members of the band. The guitarist bent over the guitar on the stand and seconds later the first bars of "Smoke gets in you Eyes" were blasted from the speakers onstage.
My eyes widened. I said "That's the guy!!!" "Yeah can you believe he is only 13?" my friend says That was the night when I began to fully appreciate the artistry of Bobby oh excuse me RJ Davis, his uncanny ability to wrest every ounce of emotion from a guitar, his ability to express every emotion from despair to elation using nothing but his fingers, strings and a geyser of talent.
That night, I went up to the bar, where the band Crimson Symphony were selling their wares, and bought all of the tapes I could (there were no such things as CDs at that time) and began a journey of exploration into an area of jazz that widened my horizons to an entirely new level. RJ Davis remains, to this day, the guitarist for whom I hold the utmost respect and in whose talent I stand in awe. His performances at The 2013 Governors Island Jazz Festival were mind altering to say the very least.
That's awesome, Thanks Joy!!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, thanks, Joy!!
ReplyDeleteLorraine Solomon
ReplyDeleteHey Lorraine. Welcome back.
DeleteI had the pleasure of meeting RJ in the 1980s. He had just finished the first of three sets at Danceteria. The place was packed, I and my friends were near the exit door to the alley. I wanted a smoke, and so I went out that way. I lit up, and there he was outside the stage door for a breath of air, he said good evening, and I stammered something probably incoherent, he said 'beautiful night" He was /is a local musician, but I was completely starstruck in his presence. He was in great form on stage that evening, and then there was that face, my GOD what a beautiful man. The Heart song "Alone" went through my head, but I could not conjure enough courage to say anything. I could not speak, seriously, if I did I think I would have said something stupid, and embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteI smiled, and walked toward the alley door, which was locked from the inside. I walked toward the front door. but had gotten into the venue prior to stamping, so they would not let me in. I walked back to the alley to bang on the door, but RJ realizing what had happened "said come with me" and allowed me to enter the stage door. "Enjoy the next set" he said, thank you, is all I could muster. Of course, my friends did not believe me when I told them what had happened, not until RJ sought me out from the stage gave me a thumbs up and then threw me a T shirt. My friends were very jealous, and I was on a serious high for the next month. After that experience I always chose area to watch his shows at Danceteria hoping for another opportunity to be one on one with him. I had index cards in my pocket just so I would not freeze up.
I remember you sharing that story. Lucky girl you are.
DeleteI wore that t shirt for months, and I still have it.
Deletemagic.
ReplyDeleteBOSTON HERALD
Leslie Holcomb February 11, 2014
RJ Davis makes an art of interactivity
Is there a harder-working guitarist in jazz than RJ Davis? His nearly 2 1/2 -hour program of nearly nonstop playing at The Shubert Theatre Friday night was a musical marathon, as athletic as it was imaginative, a muscular display of guitar virtuosity. A full evening devoted to a jazz guitar, acoustic bass, piano, percussion, and a string orchestra -- even when the players are such gifted artists as Davis, bassist Sam Diehn and drummer Ray Beasley -- can, at first glance, seem to be a banquet with the same dish for every course. But not so with these imaginative chefs, who brought delectable variations to everything they offered. Davis wisely programmed the evening with contrasting sounds, styles and substance. Strolling casually on stage in characteristically unassuming fashion, he began with the lush, far-ranging sounds of his baritone guitar. After floating through the engaging textures of "No War" and a bossa nova-light rendering of " Where are we now," he switched to his Frankenstein-like, multi-necked Pikasso guitar, employing its myriad of strings to propel a flight through the cloudy, Urban New Agey textures of "Youthful Fusion" When Davis was joined by Diehn and Beasley, the mood switched again with the jazz rhythms of "Hipster." Other selections from the trio included " In her mind," followed -- the airy title track, a moody "Have yet to hear from you" and the high-speed "Get a move on." Perhaps most intriguing of all, there was "Where is America?," composed while Davis was helping with search and rescue in the Gulf Coast states after the Katrina disaster. Other high points in the program surfaced via Davis' "StarSurfer" with Diehn, and then "Dark Heart" with Beasley. Each was a model of empathic playing between musicians with the skill to move seamlessly from upfront solo passages to fine-tuned, interactive support. On the closing up-tempo finale, despite the potential fatigue of having arrived from Minnesota a scant hour and a half before the concert, the soloing set the bar even higher. Davis was at his best; Colon pulled out his bow for an astonishingly adept set of arco choruses; and Beasley transformed his drums into a multi-tonal collection of irresistible rhythm-producing instruments. Then they played 14 selections from the upcoming Vivid Shades of Gray, absolutely incredible. Call it a night to remember
Thanks again Joy!!
ReplyDeleteHi Angela. I am RJ Davis' significant other. I wanted to let his fans and followers know that he was nominated for and has been notified that he has won two Grammy's for his new music. He won both the Indy Composition and Indy Artist of the Year at the 2024 Grammy Awards. A huge congrats to RJ and his incredible musical talent for winning these auspicious awards! Sadly there will be no public announcement of his wins during the televised Grammy's due to his Indy status.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteWell hello S. That is exciting news. So are you, and RJ engaged? Are you a musician? Is he still beautiful? (Rhetorical) Hopefully I won't get an email asking me to take down another blog. Do you mind that most of his fans are adoring females? Welcome to our blog sister. We all hate you (JK)
DeleteS. Could we have more details!!
DeleteAny recent photos? 😋
DeleteYes ladies, I'm back. Hey S. What is your first name? What sing did he win for?
ReplyDeleteSong
DeleteHello ladies. I will keep this short and to the point. My name and our relationship status are not germane to RJ’s music. He has requested that I not post photos. The composition he won for is titled Simplicity. He thanks you for your continued support of his music.
ReplyDeleteYes ma,am. Keep it respectful ladies.
DeleteThank you, Angela. I appreciate that and so does he. RJ does not currently have any in-person dates scheduled, but I will certainly let you know if or when that changes.
DeleteI/we were hoping management or whomever would discover our blog and let us know a little of what is going on. Please, S, keep us up to date on any upcoming performances. His recordings are amazing, but his live performances are overworldly. We (the Tri State) are suffering withdrawal, I hear his music older and newer everywhere here these days. Could you let us know when there is an official website? Do you think he would do a Q&A session here, or is that asking too much?
DeleteS are you there?
DeleteYes, sorry for the delay. I have been slammed by work and personal commitments. There is not currently an official website. RJ has said that you can send questions to rjdavisnyc@musician.org and he/we will do our best to reply.
DeleteThank You S!!
DeleteYou are welcome, Angela!
DeleteOkay ladies, instead of overwhelming RJ with email, send your questions to my email, and I will forward them a few at a time.
ReplyDeleteangcollete74@gmail.com
Hi Ladies. Its me RJ. I thank you for your fanship, the great blog, and all the questions, it means alot. S, and I do plan on replying to every single one. We are however very busy at the moment with a variety of things. That being said, I gather that in a few weeks we will be able to take the time to sit down, and answer all your questions. Until then I hope you enjoy the new music, there is more to come
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
RJ
🥰🫠🙂
ReplyDeleteThank you RJ, and S. We look forward to hearing more.
ReplyDeleteSr. Davis
ReplyDelete¿Cuándo volverá a actuar en Nueva York? Extrañamos la música.
Bartolo #40
Pronto hermano
ReplyDeleteStrolling on Governors Island with my hubby, both of us recalling RJ mesmerizing 30000 people with that amazing style. We miss you Arge. Get back as soon as you can. S, youre a lucky lady.
ReplyDeleteWe really want a photo. Pleeeaassee!!
ReplyDeleteWINDSOR JOURNAL
ReplyDeleteTamara Elhurst August 11, 2014
It probably goes without saying that RJ Davis is a one-of-a-kind sort of guitarist. Able to follow his sometimes jaw-dropping capabilities through stylistic tributaries of flamenco, classical and a supercharged mix of progressive rock and folk, RJ opened his Saturday night show at the SummerWind Performing Arts Center in a way that immediately established his credentials for the uninitiated. He began seated alone with a custom-made Pikasso guitar, a contraption that looks a bit like an unholy offspring of a lute, harp and maybe three acoustic guitars. Working across the 42 strings criss-crossing its body, Davis began with a blend of patiently explored classical guitar that gave way to shimmering strums, resulting in something that flirted with lush if somewhat sterile New Age. Watching him perform was as much an act of musical exploration as a physical one. How does he play that thing? And what on Earth made him want to try? It wasn't the first time such questions would come up during the night, Unfortunately just a small amount of the show featured any conventional focus in Davis' soon to be released CD " Vivid Shades of Gray"which features some of the most emotionally intense music that I have ever heard which is what many dedicated listeners were hoping to hear. The highlight of the evening for many was a new song called "Her Eyes"that carried a sad, but incredibly romantic feel punctuated by Davis' baritone electric guitar, and leading,but shaded strings provided by I Sololisti a powerfully sensitive composition which brought tears to many of those in attendance including myself. The more manic "At the top of my lungs " was successful in it's own right.. With Davis turning to a guitar layered with an electronic effect resembling a synthetic cross between an electric piano and violin, the group sped into a burning take on Mahavishnu Orchestra-era fusion. As the song raced to a furious finish through an assortment of fleet-fingered twists, the results felt almost oppressively virtuosic, full of such exhaustive technical skill that some of the humanity could have gone missing, but did not. The notion reached its fullest yet most oddly fascinating expression with " Agape " a song that reintroduced Davis' Sound by Design projects when he was a 15 year old. Unveiled to a scattering of giddy applause as if a special guest had been introduced, the mind-boggling collection of sounds this man can produce from a single guitar are mind boggling. Honestly it was, and is impossible not to be filled with a sense of wonder at his level of musical intelligence, and his overall IQ, even more so as the band gradually joined Davis, and his mad scientist's array of flawless patterns. As Davis sampled and looped his guitar to join a sprawling piece with flashes of Steve Reich and world beat, his band followed with something looser that slowly took hold of the song as it came together, surged ahead and came to rest. Even after such a long hiatus from independent music royalty RJ Davis remains the most exciting performer to listen too, and to observe. After that kind of display, two solo acoustic encores featuring Davis on a conventional six-string felt almost perverse, but his efforts again proved that the curious meeting of musicians with the talent of this young man and their machines at its best creates its own kind of unity, splendor, and magic.
S
ReplyDeleteWhat first got you into music?
My grandmother.
• Who are your biggest musical influences?
There are a variety of influences, but mostly my grandmother Rosalinda, a flamenco guitarist.
• How do you typically create your music? What is your creative process like?
I usually write music in my head without an instrument. I will then jot down notes, transcribe, and record.
• Where do you find inspiration for your songs?
Many different places.
• What are your favorite venues to perform in?
The Allen Room, Lincoln Center NYC symphony space, and Naumburg band shell in Central Park. I love to perform outdoors.
• What's your favorite thing about being a musician?
I love the performing aspect, the creative aspect, and I love bringing music to others. It is good for the soul.
• What's the most memorable performance you've had?
The 2011 Ground Zero performance.
Musical Journey and Personal Stories:
• What instruments do you play?
I play everything with strings. A few percussion instruments and a few woodwinds.
• What was your first musical memory?
I was six, lying between two speakers listening to Miles Davis. It did not make my mother happy that I had it turned up so loud.
• What are some of your favorite albums or artists from different genres?
Adelphi 1 by Chick Corea, Avalon by Roxy Music, and Solid Colors by Liz Story are my top three.
• Have you ever felt like you were going to quit?
Never.
• What's the most difficult part of being a musician?
Is there one?
• What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
If you are the best musician in the band, you are in the wrong band.
Favorite Songs and Albums:
• What is your favorite song to perform?
The New York City theme, but I have some new stuff coming out and hopefully they will become fan favorites along with my favorites to perform as well.
• What is your favorite song on your latest album?
Simplicity and the key changes are what my fellow musicians talk about.
• What is your all-time favorite album?
Days of the Future Passed by the Moody Blues
• If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Lark Ascending by Vaughn Williams
Additional Questions:
• What's your favorite thing about your fanbase?
They are genuine.
• What do you do in your free time?
Make music.
• Do you have any other hobbies or passions outside of music?
Sports, and I play both tennis and baseball.
• What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you on tour?
Someone else was involved with that so I am not going to share that story, but the one with Cathy Torres was cute.
• Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Soshi Katsuykai (Soshi Jackson)
Thank You!!!
ReplyDeleteSo much GOD Given talent. You have so been blessed Mr. Davis
ReplyDeleteSo I heard a rumor that RJ has a child with former supermodel turned restaurateur Kirsti Bowser. Has anyone else heard that, or know it to be true, or not?
ReplyDeleteHello. Yes RJ Davis and I are the proud parents of Robert Jonathan Davis the Third also know as Bobby, or Trey. He is a fine musician, and a senior botanist with the New York Botanical Society.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's a Yes!
DeleteWow he must be one great looking young man
ReplyDeleteRJ Davis has a few nicknames in the tri-state area musical scene.
ReplyDeleteThe first is The Amazing Spiderhand because his fingers are so long, actually too long to be such a talented guitarist. RJ's answer for how he is what he should not be was "no one ever told me" The other nickname is Lightning Davis given to him by Hiram Colon, because of the speed he can produce multiple procession of notes, chords, triads...
I had the pleasure of speaking with RJ a few nights ago. What a delightful humble young man. RJ welcome to the Grammy Family. Let's work together soon.
ReplyDeleteHe is indeed a musician. I hope you decide to investigate his music, it is very different.
Delete