Dan Davis — “Dan the man” — is a beloved UNC professor and music teacher. For this year’s 2023 Summer Jazz Workshop, Davis teaches jazz history while also working with drum clinics and preforming during the nightly shows.
Last night’s concert was amazing, when did you begin playing with your hands?
When I was a kid, the first person I saw do it was John Bonhman. The first time I saw somebody do that was Led Zeppelin. But a lot of jazz drummers do it. The reason I do it, last year Kate McGarry asked me to do it for a particular song. This year, a bunch of students were saying “are you going to play with your hands again, are you going to play with your hands again” so I felt a little bit obligated.
What drew you to music?
When I was growing up, my mother was a church choir director, and I was always around music. Music was in my home, my mother was a piano and voice teacher, so every afternoon after school I would hear lessons. Music was everywhere. I was a child of the radio of the 1970s. I was really into band. Once I was in 7th grade, I played in the school band. In high school, I played in a rock band, and then when It came time to go to school, it seemed like a natural to go to music school for music education and percussion.
Notable influences?
Certainly growing up, my parents and my close friends in band. All of my teachers, Harold Jones at ECU, all these great players. Of course, all of my colleagues here at UNC are just wonderful.
Do you share your music on social media?
I am very up on posting all my gigs and everything like that. Tonight my group is playing at the Berkeley cafe in Raleigh and then on Saturday my group is playing at Durty Bull Brewery over in Durham. All of that stuff is on social media. Social media has got positive things and negative things but I feel pretty good about this part of it. It’s got free publicity and advertising, which I use for gigs.
How did your journey with music and jazz lead to a life teaching?
Well, it was always something I have enjoyed. Even in high school, I had some students. At ECU, I got a music education degree so it was very much part of my training and background. Its fun for me and I enjoy working with students. I like to pay it forward and give back to the community and all. It’s just a really enjoyable and rewarding thing for me.