Today we’d like to introduce you to Xavier Davis.
Hi Xavier, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born to a piano-playing, Grammy Award-winning producer father and a nationally acclaimed vocalist mother. Music was always present in the household and I was introduced to multiple instruments in my youth including piano, trumpet, french horn, drums, and bass guitar. In middle school, I befriended a group of aspiring jazz musicians who were already performing in a band called Anonymous Da Band. Just a couple years later, I joined forces with them and have been performing all around the metro Atlanta area at various festivals and clubs, occasionally traveling to other states when the opportunities presented themselves. In my time with Anonymous, we have released 2 independently produced albums (the singles from which are still in heavy rotation on Atlanta Jazz Station 91.9 WCLK), multiple music videos, and a recent song in collaboration with fellow jazz/R&B artist Kennedy Avery. Though the majority of my musical experience has come through the band, I also am refining my skills as a producer, engineer, and writer in my studies at Georgia State University to prepare to pursue a solo career.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been plenty of obstacles along the path of being a musician. As a teenager, my priorities shifted frequently and I seldom gave myself the opportunity to focus on a select few things. This led to some confusion and misdirection when I first began college and led to me course-correcting as the years went on. Juggling academic responsibilities would have been enough to manage, but pursuing a professional career in the midst of it has proven to be quite the challenge. I will say, however, that these challenges have inspired growth in many unforeseen ways.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a keyboardist, songwriter, producer, and french horn player. I am mostly known for playing keys around town, but I am most proud of my ability to create compelling melodies and create arrangements for live instrumental performances. My background in jazz fusion and as a multi-instrumentalist differentiates me from other artists in the popular/urban music environment due to my ability to contribute to every step in the creative process. Whether it’s playing instruments, making a beat, writing lyrics, engineering the recording session, mixing the recording, or registering the final product with a publishing company, I have the skills and experience necessary to create and export music at a high level.
What matters most to you?
I have a responsibility as a black man in America to do everything in my power to support and uplift my community. I could easily accomplish this by pursuing a trade or becoming an educator, but I’ve chosen music as my primary means for enacting change. I have seen far too many examples of counterproductive practices perpetuated by my people, and I make it my duty to promote progress by developing myself as an individual in hopes that I will positively influence those around me. Nothing matters more to me than my people.
Pricing:
- $100 for Live Keyboard/Piano Accompaniment ($25/rehearsal)
- $50 for an Instrumental/Beat
- $20/hour for Engineering a Recording Session
- $50 for Podcast Production
Contact Info:
- Email: prod.by.kingkofi@gmail.com
- Website: anonymousdaband.com
- Instagram: @prod.by.kofi
- Twitter: @ProdByKofi
- SoundCloud: Check out SQUAWK Podcast on #SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-308055299?ref=clipboard&p=a&c=1&si=0da205fe7a4e4bf0a6eaad85dcfa205d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
