Wishing all y'all a very happy, peaceful and full of love New Year 2019. 
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Billie Davies Trio: Perspectives II By Jerome Wilson
Billie Davies Trio: Perspectives II
By JEROME WILSON
December 17, 2018
The spiritual jazz tradition, as exemplified by John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders, has been having a resurgence over the past few years in places like Los Angeles and Great Britain. Now here is evidence that some musicians in New Orleans are going down that path as well. Billie Davies is a drummer from Belgium who now lives and works in the Big Easy and this recording, available only in download form, captures a live performance of her trio, plus added guests, creating over an hour of heady, uplifting music.
Most tracks build slowly. "Nature" starts with lonely flute trills by Ari Kohn and sparse electric piano notes from Evan Oberla that slowly coalesce into a wavy tropical rhythm. Craggy, harp-like piano and the soothing voices of Allie Porter and Iris P weave in and out of each other while Davies and bassist Oliver Watkinson maintain a light, rolling undercurrent that keeps the music buoyant. "Life" continues in the same manner with the vocalists talking and singing aphorisms like "Don't be afraid to be be who you are" and "Have no fear to live passionately" as Davies and the band cruise through mesmerizing grooves. "Happiness" changes the overall sound as Kohn switches to baritone sax and Oberla moves to trombone. Both start by moaning long notes over the bass and drums but eventually the four players become a crisp, punchy ensemble that works its way into a lurching Caribbean groove.
The tracks "Love" and "Freedom" bring synthesizers into play. The first is a shorter breeze of springy synthesizer sounds embellished by flute and the rhythm section while the vocalists gently sing about love while on "Freedom" buzzy synth sounds are tossed around with baritone, drums and bass in a turbulent, rock-flavored stew. These two tracks, in particular, resemble some of Sun Ra's more scaled down recordings where Pat Patrick's baritone sax and June Tyson's voice dueled with Ra's keyboard eruptions.
"Art" starts out with a free improv trio of flute, synthesizer and drums. Then electric piano and bass come in to build melody, Porter and Iris P dialog about art and the music morphs into a spell of swinging cool jazz led by flute and trombone as the women spin out poetry like they were in a Beat-era coffeehouse. Finally "Rhythm" is just what it says, a careening synth and baritone avalanche that quickly turns into a rolling, up-tempo jam that nods in the directions of hip hop and dub. Oberla swoops and burns on the electric keyboards, Watkinson walks furiously and Davies leads from the back, constantly switching the tempo and feel with little seeming effort.
This music never stays in one place for long, progressing naturally through straight jazz, jazz-rock, free jazz and other sub-genres, with the voices of Allie and Iris P dramatically shouting or sensually cooing as the mood dictates. This is a loose, free-flowing concoction not quite like anything else out there. Like the best forward-thinking music, Billie Davies' work reminds you of many different things but in the end, it is its own original beast, as powerful as anything more well-known musicians have created this year.
Track Listing: Nature; Life; Happiness; Love; Freedom; Art; Rhythm.
Personnel: Billie Davies: drums; Evan Oberla: piano, keyboards, trombone; Oliver Watkinson: bass; Ari Kohn: woodwinds; Iris P, Alie Porter: vocals.
Title: Perspectives II | Year Released: 2018
Most tracks build slowly. "Nature" starts with lonely flute trills by Ari Kohn and sparse electric piano notes from Evan Oberla that slowly coalesce into a wavy tropical rhythm. Craggy, harp-like piano and the soothing voices of Allie Porter and Iris P weave in and out of each other while Davies and bassist Oliver Watkinson maintain a light, rolling undercurrent that keeps the music buoyant. "Life" continues in the same manner with the vocalists talking and singing aphorisms like "Don't be afraid to be be who you are" and "Have no fear to live passionately" as Davies and the band cruise through mesmerizing grooves. "Happiness" changes the overall sound as Kohn switches to baritone sax and Oberla moves to trombone. Both start by moaning long notes over the bass and drums but eventually the four players become a crisp, punchy ensemble that works its way into a lurching Caribbean groove.
The tracks "Love" and "Freedom" bring synthesizers into play. The first is a shorter breeze of springy synthesizer sounds embellished by flute and the rhythm section while the vocalists gently sing about love while on "Freedom" buzzy synth sounds are tossed around with baritone, drums and bass in a turbulent, rock-flavored stew. These two tracks, in particular, resemble some of Sun Ra's more scaled down recordings where Pat Patrick's baritone sax and June Tyson's voice dueled with Ra's keyboard eruptions.
"Art" starts out with a free improv trio of flute, synthesizer and drums. Then electric piano and bass come in to build melody, Porter and Iris P dialog about art and the music morphs into a spell of swinging cool jazz led by flute and trombone as the women spin out poetry like they were in a Beat-era coffeehouse. Finally "Rhythm" is just what it says, a careening synth and baritone avalanche that quickly turns into a rolling, up-tempo jam that nods in the directions of hip hop and dub. Oberla swoops and burns on the electric keyboards, Watkinson walks furiously and Davies leads from the back, constantly switching the tempo and feel with little seeming effort.
This music never stays in one place for long, progressing naturally through straight jazz, jazz-rock, free jazz and other sub-genres, with the voices of Allie and Iris P dramatically shouting or sensually cooing as the mood dictates. This is a loose, free-flowing concoction not quite like anything else out there. Like the best forward-thinking music, Billie Davies' work reminds you of many different things but in the end, it is its own original beast, as powerful as anything more well-known musicians have created this year.
Track Listing: Nature; Life; Happiness; Love; Freedom; Art; Rhythm.
Personnel: Billie Davies: drums; Evan Oberla: piano, keyboards, trombone; Oliver Watkinson: bass; Ari Kohn: woodwinds; Iris P, Alie Porter: vocals.
Title: Perspectives II | Year Released: 2018
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Billie Davies Perspectives ~ A Gathering - A 3 month residency at the Art Klub in New Orleans.
BILLIE DAVIES Trio presents PERSPECTIVES ~ a Gathering
Billie Davies Perspectives ~ A Gathering
Who: Billie Davies Trio
What: Billie Davies Perspectives ~ A Gathering
When: Every Sunday, 8:00pm-11:00pm
Starting: OCTOBER 21, 2018
Ending: JANUARY 13, 2019
Where: Art Klub, 1941 Arts St., New Orleans
Why: Billie Davies Perspectives ~ A Gathering is a once a week open to the public music exploration during her 3 month residency at the Art Klub, within the perspective of "fine art" - while at the same time it being an informal, happy-go-lucky, relaxing musical gathering full of love and peace.
How Much: $10 at the door. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds at Art Klub.
Billie Davies Perspectives ~ A Gathering
Every Sunday, from October 21 until January 13, join the BILLIE DAVIES Trio as they explore music within a perspective of "fine art". Each Sunday night will showcase Billie Davies on drums, Evan Oberla on piano, keys and trombone, Oliver Watkinson on bass and feature Iris P. on vocals. Invited guests will jump into the mix and play alongside the trio, keeping the evening informal, happy-go-lucky, relaxing and full of love and peace.
About the artist
The music of BILLIE DAVIES Trio, A Nu Experience and other quartet, quintet and sextet line-ups, moves on from the Jazz and Avant-garde jazz world beyond Jazz with it's own unique and truly improvisational style.
While living and playing in the South of France in 1984, Billie received a talent grant from Max Roach to study at Berklee College of Music. She made a permanent move to the US in December of 1986 for the sake of her explorations in Jazz.
Her 2012 release of “all about Love” solidified her position as a professional jazz musician. This recording of standards and original music, charted #1 in CMJ Jazz College Radio Charts for ‘top jazz add’ in new albums and went on to stay in the top 20 for 4 weeks. Also well received in Canada, the album ended up in the Top 10 on three different !Earshot Jazz charts.
In October, 2013 Billie released “12 VOLT” which garnered national and international attention. CJ Bond, JAZZ MUSIC, wrote, “12 VOLT” features exclusively original compositions of Billie Davies, and adds the crucial tyne of 'composer/arranger' to her sterling artistic fork, augmenting fearless innovation. Jan Hocek of His Voice in Prague wrote:”Without hesitation - HIGH VOLTAGE avant-garde JAZZ - one of the most remarkable trio albums of the year!" In 2013 Billie Davies received the "Jazz Artist of the Year" Award by the 23rd Annual Los Angeles Music Awards.
In March of 2014 she moved to New Orleans where she has graced stages ever since and where she recorded her album "Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon" in 2015. She received more national and international attention due to a player feature in Downbeat Magazine May 2016 edition, "BILLIE DAVIES '20 Years Stronger'".
"On Hollywood Boulevard", her CD released in 12/10/2016 became a January 2017 Editor's Pick on DownBeat.com. It also started solidifying the coming of a new Billie Davies Trio with Evan Oberla on piano, el. keys and trombone and Oliver Watkinson on bass while featuring the vocals of Iris P who brought the words written by Billie to the stage.
In December 2017 Billie Davies was nominated for "Best Contemporary Jazz Artist" in New Orleans by OffBeat Magazine.
September 2018 was the first officially released recording of the new Billie Davies Trio, Perspectives II, featuring Ari Kohn, woodwinds, Iris P, vocals and Allie Porter, vocals.
Friday, October 5, 2018
Billie Davies trio "PERSPECTIVES II" Now Available On BandCamp
#newmusic #billiedaviestrio "PERSPECTIVES II" Now available @Bandcamp https://lnkd.in/eVpExbi . Also available on @ReverbNation . Listen on @AllAboutJazz @AppleMusic @Spotify @iTunes #jazzimprovisation #music @InTheKeyOfJazz
Thursday, October 4, 2018
PERSPECTIVES II - BILLIE DAVIES trio
Official set of live videos from the audio/video recording session of "PERSPECTIVES II" by the BILLIE DAVIES trio (Davies, Oberla, Watkinson) Featuring Ari Kohn, woodwinds, Iris P and Allie Porter, vocals, Elle C. Jones and Briana Alston, dance.
Video recording and editing by Marion Hill.
Audio recording, mixing, mastering and video cuts by Mike Davies.
Video recording and editing by Marion Hill.
Audio recording, mixing, mastering and video cuts by Mike Davies.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Announcing The Independent Release Of "PERSPECTIVES II" By Billie Davies Trio on BandCamp.
“PERSPECTIVES II”
Available now here: https://billiedavies.bandcamp.com/album/perspectives-ii
An all spontaneous, instinctive, intuitive improvisation inspired by 7 perspectives, words by Billie Davies and 7 chakra musical keys, expressed by:
BILLIE DAVIES trio Billie Davies - drums, Evan Oberla - piano/keys/trombone, Oliver Watkinson - bass, featuring: Ari Kohn - woodwinds, Iris P - vocals, Allie Porter - vocals, Lyrics by Billie Davies
Perspectives that affect all human beings, regardless of race, nationality, culture, gender, creed, religion, politics, social status and personhood.
Abstract Expressionist Improvisations
Neither confused by the light
Nor blinded by dogma, color or political correctness
An ever evolving improvisation, a message to raise the awareness of life and living, love and loving from a deeply natural, instinctive perspective, so people start to listen to their heart, to feel their soul, without fear, wholly responsible for every action taken, and in doing so feel truly happy and fulfilled in harmony with mother nature.
A symphony to mother nature, to the tree of life and people. One big conversation where each artist responds to another artist’s call, where each and every action taken is in response to another, all being influenced by each other, all being one and one with mother nature.
Musicians expressing through sound, vocalists through words and in the video dancers through movement, all expressing perspectives of Nature, Life, Happiness, Love, Freedom, Art and Rhythm.
“PERSPECTIVES II”
Available now here: https://billiedavies.bandcamp.com/album/perspectives-ii
live recorded for sound and video at: Art Klub, New Orleans LA
live recording date: June 1, 2018, 8 - 10 pm
audio recording, mixing, mastering: Mike Davies
video recording and post production: Marion Hill
tracks
Nature - 11:36 , Life - 06:13 , Happiness - 07:15 , Love - 07:15
Freedom - 16:47 , Art - 13:37 , Rhythm - 14:45
lyrics: Billie Davies
release date: September 27
Contact for Press, reviews, interviews:
Billie Davies
New Orleans, LA
Tel: (+1) 310.467.2061 Email: Billie@BillieDavies.com Website: http://www.BillieDaviesJazz.com
Press Kit: https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/billiedavies
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Davies
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Davies
Saturday, September 22, 2018
New Orleans Drummer Billie Davies Announces Her New Release, "Perspectives II" By Billie Davies Trio, For September 27, 2018
"New Orleans Drummer Billie Davies Announces Her New Release, "Perspectives II" By Billie Davies Trio, For September 27, 2018"
SOURCE: BILLIE DAVIES PR September 12, 2018 1,677 Views"Freedom and expression. These are the things that matter most to Billie Davies, who has used the drums as a means to express herself freely for more than 40 years now." —Noe Cugny, Offbeat Magazine.
About Perspectives II“All of my music is improvisational... a conversation between musicians and musical instruments. A joint emotional expression inspired by a certain common feeling, thought or perspective in an instinctual, unpredictable, freely expressed improvisation exploring authentic feelings and inspirations that is being communicated to an audience, a listener, a community."—Billie Davies
Perspectives II is an all spontaneous, instinctive, intuitive improvisation inspired by 7 perspectives, words and seven chakra musical keys, expressed by a quartet of piano / keys / trombone, baritone sax / flute, bass, drums and vocals / spoken word by two female vocalists.
Perspectives that affect all human beings, regardless of race, nationality, culture, gender, creed, religion, politics, social status and personhood. Abstract Expressionist Improvisations Neither confused by the light Nor blinded by dogma, color or political correctness An ever evolving improvisation, a message to raise the awareness of life and living, love and loving from a deeply natural, instinctive perspective. A symphony to mother nature, to the tree of life and people. One big conversation where each artist responds to another artist’s call, where each and every action taken is in response to another, all being influenced by each other, all being one and one with mother nature.
A spontaneous expression through sound, through words and through movement, all expressing perspectives of Nature, Life, Happiness, Love, Freedom, Art and Rhythm.
Personnel
Billie Davies: drums
Evan Oberla: piano/keys/trombone
Oliver Watkinson: bass
Ari Kohn: woodwinds
Iris P: vocals
Allie Porter: vocals
Live recorded for sound and video at: Art Klub, New Orleans.
Tracks Listing
Evan Oberla: piano/keys/trombone
Oliver Watkinson: bass
Ari Kohn: woodwinds
Iris P: vocals
Allie Porter: vocals
Live recorded for sound and video at: Art Klub, New Orleans.
Tracks Listing
Nature (11:36)
Life (06:13)
Happiness (07:15)
Love (07:15)
Freedom (16:47)
Art (13:37)
Rhythm (14:45)
Release date: September 27, 2018.
About The Performers
Life (06:13)
Happiness (07:15)
Love (07:15)
Freedom (16:47)
Art (13:37)
Rhythm (14:45)
Release date: September 27, 2018.
About The Performers
Billie Davies
“Billie Davies is a very accomplished free-jazz drummer. Born in Belgium, she now lives in New Orleans, having spent much of her life living peripatetically. Previous reviewers have made much of the self-taught nature of her drumming. I defy any listener to distinguish her playing from someone ‘schooled’ in jazz drumming. There is a vitality and fluidity in the way that she plays the drum kit... her stories explain her drumming... ”- Chris Baber, Jazz Views (Jun 30, 2016)
Her 2012 release of All About Love solidified her position as a professional jazz musician. This recording of standards and original music, charted #1 in CMJ Jazz College Radio Charts for ‘top jazz add’ in new albums and went on to stay in the top 20 for 4 weeks. Also well received in Canada, the album ended up in the Top 10 on three different Earshot Jazz charts.
In October, 2013 Billie released 12 VOLT. CJ Bond, JAZZ MUSIC, wrote, “12 VOLT adds the crucial tyne of 'composer/arranger' to her sterling artistic fork, augmenting fearless innovation."
Jan Hocek of His Voice in Prague wrote: ”Without hesitation—HIGH VOLTAGE avant-garde JAZZ—one of the most remarkable trio albums of the year!"
In 2013 Billie Davies received the “Jazz Artist of the Year" Award by the 23rd Annual Los Angeles Music Awards.
In March of 2014 she moved to New Orleans where she recorded Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon in 2015.
She received more national and international attention due to a player feature in Downbeat Magazine May 2016 edition, “BILLIE DAVIES 20 Years Stronger'".
On Hollywood Boulevard, released in 12/10/2016 became a January 2017 Editor's Pick on DownBeat.com.
December 2017 Billie Davies was nominated for “Best Contemporary Jazz Artist" in New Orleans by OffBeat Magazine.
Evan Oberla
“Music never stops, it only begins. All the music that ever was exists now. It is the musician's job to tune into the universe and become a vessel for the music of the moment." Evan Oberla Evan was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, playing piano and guitar at an early age. In 5th grade he picked up the trombone for the school band. In high school his musicality led him to participate in multiple jazz ensembles, including the acclaimed Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra. Evan graduated in June 2009 from Ohio State University with a degree in Jazz Studies performance. A diverse and active musician based out of New Orleans, LA, he can be found with acts such as EO & The Tasty Sapiens, Brass Lightning, Sexual Thunder, Allie Porter Band, Billie Davies, Miss Mojo, Mike Dillon & more. Evan has toured nationally with O.A.R., Allen Stone, and Elle King.
Oliver Watkinson
Born in Brunswick Maine, Oliver began studying music at the age of five. He attended college in Boston at the New England Conservatory, where he had the opportunity to study upright jazz bass and perform with greats such as Lee Konitz, Dave Holland, Jason Moran, Cecil McBee, and many more. In 2014, Oliver moved to New Orleans and began performing with BILLIE DAVIES in 2015, Gandhi Castle, Laelume, and various street bands. He has taught and performed all over the United States, as well as Central America and Canada.
Ari Kohn
Born in Portland, OR he now lives in New Orleans and is a jazz studies graduate from Tulane University. Ari is fast becoming one of the important younger musicians in New Orleans. He is a very creative and dedicated reeds/woodwind player that can be found playing with Brass Lightning, Miss Mojo, Allen Stone, Elle King, Sexual Thunder!, Doombalaya, Noruz, and more. He is a BOOST Music Teacher at New Orleans College Prep Charter Schools. He played and performed with the Billie Davies Ensemble horn section in 2015 and with Billie Davies & The Bad Boyzzzz horn section in 2015/16. He joined BILLIE DAVIES in January of 2018 for the “PERSPECTIVES I & II” project.
Iris P
Born in 1985, in New Orleans, Catherine Poree' aka IRIS P, discovered her talent when she received her very first instrument, a violin, at the age of 6. From there she went on to perform in orchestra concerts and a host of plays, but most of all enjoyed singing with her mother, the late Marilyn J. Etienne, also known as LADY GOSPEL. In 2010 IRIS P started her mission to “save the world" by performing her original songs written from her extravagant poetry debuting a plethora of songs from her Underground EP “I Got Issues". IRIS P shows style like no-other with Jazz Melodies when she played “Billie Holiday" in “Dryades Street Divas Review" in the summer of 2014, held at Ashe's Cultural Center. She won “Nola’s Hottest Female Vocalist In October of 2014" at the Nola Hip Hop Awards, and headlined in the Foundation Room at the New Orleans House of Blues. She joined BILLIE DAVIES for the recording of “On Hollywood Boulevard” in 2016.
Allie Porter
Hails from Crofton, MD and is a singer and songwriter now living in New Orleans with honest pipes and a heart of gold bringing you the music of your past, present and future. She has been influenced by Grace Slick, Joni Mitchell, Irma Thomas, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Beyonce and Janis Joplin. She can be seen performing in New Orleans with The Allie Porter Band, The Holy Trinity Trio and more. She joined BILLIE DAVIES in January of 2018 for the “PERSPECTIVES I & II” project.
Dancers in Video: Artivism Dance Theatre featuring Elle C Jones and Briana Alston
Artivism Dance Theatre is a collective dedicated to bringing awareness of social issues to a wide range of audiences through dance theatre. Artivism aims to generate discussion amongst its audiences and open a dialogue around these important issues. We prioritize communication of social message over esoteric performance, often using multimedia techniques in our work. We believe that art, and specifically movement, can communicate perspective and experience across gaps in culture, language, and tradition that might otherwise remain unbreachable.
Visit Website
“Billie Davies is a very accomplished free-jazz drummer. Born in Belgium, she now lives in New Orleans, having spent much of her life living peripatetically. Previous reviewers have made much of the self-taught nature of her drumming. I defy any listener to distinguish her playing from someone ‘schooled’ in jazz drumming. There is a vitality and fluidity in the way that she plays the drum kit... her stories explain her drumming... ”- Chris Baber, Jazz Views (Jun 30, 2016)
Her 2012 release of All About Love solidified her position as a professional jazz musician. This recording of standards and original music, charted #1 in CMJ Jazz College Radio Charts for ‘top jazz add’ in new albums and went on to stay in the top 20 for 4 weeks. Also well received in Canada, the album ended up in the Top 10 on three different Earshot Jazz charts.
In October, 2013 Billie released 12 VOLT. CJ Bond, JAZZ MUSIC, wrote, “12 VOLT adds the crucial tyne of 'composer/arranger' to her sterling artistic fork, augmenting fearless innovation."
Jan Hocek of His Voice in Prague wrote: ”Without hesitation—HIGH VOLTAGE avant-garde JAZZ—one of the most remarkable trio albums of the year!"
In 2013 Billie Davies received the “Jazz Artist of the Year" Award by the 23rd Annual Los Angeles Music Awards.
In March of 2014 she moved to New Orleans where she recorded Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon in 2015.
She received more national and international attention due to a player feature in Downbeat Magazine May 2016 edition, “BILLIE DAVIES 20 Years Stronger'".
On Hollywood Boulevard, released in 12/10/2016 became a January 2017 Editor's Pick on DownBeat.com.
December 2017 Billie Davies was nominated for “Best Contemporary Jazz Artist" in New Orleans by OffBeat Magazine.
Evan Oberla
“Music never stops, it only begins. All the music that ever was exists now. It is the musician's job to tune into the universe and become a vessel for the music of the moment." Evan Oberla Evan was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, playing piano and guitar at an early age. In 5th grade he picked up the trombone for the school band. In high school his musicality led him to participate in multiple jazz ensembles, including the acclaimed Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra. Evan graduated in June 2009 from Ohio State University with a degree in Jazz Studies performance. A diverse and active musician based out of New Orleans, LA, he can be found with acts such as EO & The Tasty Sapiens, Brass Lightning, Sexual Thunder, Allie Porter Band, Billie Davies, Miss Mojo, Mike Dillon & more. Evan has toured nationally with O.A.R., Allen Stone, and Elle King.
Oliver Watkinson
Born in Brunswick Maine, Oliver began studying music at the age of five. He attended college in Boston at the New England Conservatory, where he had the opportunity to study upright jazz bass and perform with greats such as Lee Konitz, Dave Holland, Jason Moran, Cecil McBee, and many more. In 2014, Oliver moved to New Orleans and began performing with BILLIE DAVIES in 2015, Gandhi Castle, Laelume, and various street bands. He has taught and performed all over the United States, as well as Central America and Canada.
Ari Kohn
Born in Portland, OR he now lives in New Orleans and is a jazz studies graduate from Tulane University. Ari is fast becoming one of the important younger musicians in New Orleans. He is a very creative and dedicated reeds/woodwind player that can be found playing with Brass Lightning, Miss Mojo, Allen Stone, Elle King, Sexual Thunder!, Doombalaya, Noruz, and more. He is a BOOST Music Teacher at New Orleans College Prep Charter Schools. He played and performed with the Billie Davies Ensemble horn section in 2015 and with Billie Davies & The Bad Boyzzzz horn section in 2015/16. He joined BILLIE DAVIES in January of 2018 for the “PERSPECTIVES I & II” project.
Iris P
Born in 1985, in New Orleans, Catherine Poree' aka IRIS P, discovered her talent when she received her very first instrument, a violin, at the age of 6. From there she went on to perform in orchestra concerts and a host of plays, but most of all enjoyed singing with her mother, the late Marilyn J. Etienne, also known as LADY GOSPEL. In 2010 IRIS P started her mission to “save the world" by performing her original songs written from her extravagant poetry debuting a plethora of songs from her Underground EP “I Got Issues". IRIS P shows style like no-other with Jazz Melodies when she played “Billie Holiday" in “Dryades Street Divas Review" in the summer of 2014, held at Ashe's Cultural Center. She won “Nola’s Hottest Female Vocalist In October of 2014" at the Nola Hip Hop Awards, and headlined in the Foundation Room at the New Orleans House of Blues. She joined BILLIE DAVIES for the recording of “On Hollywood Boulevard” in 2016.
Allie Porter
Hails from Crofton, MD and is a singer and songwriter now living in New Orleans with honest pipes and a heart of gold bringing you the music of your past, present and future. She has been influenced by Grace Slick, Joni Mitchell, Irma Thomas, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Beyonce and Janis Joplin. She can be seen performing in New Orleans with The Allie Porter Band, The Holy Trinity Trio and more. She joined BILLIE DAVIES in January of 2018 for the “PERSPECTIVES I & II” project.
Dancers in Video: Artivism Dance Theatre featuring Elle C Jones and Briana Alston
Artivism Dance Theatre is a collective dedicated to bringing awareness of social issues to a wide range of audiences through dance theatre. Artivism aims to generate discussion amongst its audiences and open a dialogue around these important issues. We prioritize communication of social message over esoteric performance, often using multimedia techniques in our work. We believe that art, and specifically movement, can communicate perspective and experience across gaps in culture, language, and tradition that might otherwise remain unbreachable.
Visit Website
Tags
RECORDING BILLIE DAVIES UNITED STATES LOUISIANA NEW ORLEANS EVAN OBERLA OLIVER WATKINSON IRIS P ART KLUB
Related Video
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
BILLIE DAVIES "PERSPECTIVES II" at the ART KLUB Theater in New Orleans
BILLIE DAVIES
"PERSPECTIVES II PHOTOS"
BILLIE DAVIES trio: Billie Davies - drums | Evan Oberla - piano/keys/trombone | Oliver Watkinson - bass
Featuring: Ari Kohn - reeds | Iris P - vocals | Allie Porter - vocals
Dance by: Artivism Dance Theatre - dance improvisation featuring Elle Ciccarone Jones and Briana Alston.
Venue: Art Klub - Theater, 1941 Arts Street, New Orleans LA 70117
In anticipation of the upcoming video/audio release of "Perspectives II" here are some screenshots / photos of the Live video/audio recording session ...
"PERSPECTIVES II" continues an all spontaneous, instinctive, intuitive improvisation inspired by 7 perspectives, words and 7 chakra musical keys, expressed by a quartet of piano / keys, baritone sax / flute, bass and drums, vocals / spoken word by 2 female vocalists and 2 female dancers.
Perspectives that affect all human beings, regardless of race, nationality, culture, gender, creed, religion, politics, social status and personhood.
Abstract Expressionist Improvisations
Neither confused by the light
Nor blinded by dogma, color or political correctness
Music by the BILLIE DAVIES trio
Thinking of Marie Laveau (Billie Davies trio) On Hollywood Boulevard 1 (Davies, Oberla, Watkinson) - BILLIE DAVIES - A Nu Experience - On Hollywood Boulevard Palm Trees (Billie Davies) - BILLIE DAVIES - A Nu Experience - On Hollywood Boulevard -
Press
"Billie Davies ... plays her own music. Freedom and expression. These are the things that matter most to Billie Davies, who has used the drums for more than 40 years now. For Davies, seeking freedom is a purpose, a way of life. It stems from her days among bohemian communities in southern France, living in a DIY RV and playing music in the streets, where she shaped her chops early on, playing by herself or along manouche and blues musicians." — Noe Cugny, OffBeat, Jul 2, 2018
Connect
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Power Players: Billie Davies plays her own music - OffBeat Magazine
Power Players: Billie Davies plays her own music - OffBeat Magazine: Noé Cugny talks about Billie Davies, who has used the drums as a means to express herself freely for more than 40 years now.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Pandora
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Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Billie Davies at Art Klub, June 1
Billie Davies at Art Klub, June 1: Billie Davies at Art Klub, June 1. Musicians: Billie Davies, Evan Oberla, Oliver Watkinson, Ari Kohn, Iris Poree, Allie Porter, - order tickets, find location and other info. Never miss another jazz concert in New Orleans again!
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Watch: Live Spontaneous Improvisation From Billie Davies Trio & More
Watch: Live Spontaneous Improvisation From Billie Davies Trio & More: The latest live performance video from the Billie Davies trio is an all-spontaneous improvisation with a piano, reeds, bass, drums and spoken word.
Free MP3: "Palm Trees" by Billie Davies
Free MP3: "Palm Trees" by Billie Davies: Track of the Day: “Palm Trees” by Billie Davies (Davies, Oberla, Watkinson, Iris P). Search thousands jazz tracks at All About Jazz
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
BILLIE DAVIES "PERSPECTIVES II" Performance at ART KLUB Theatre on June 1
Billie Davies announces her "PERSPECTIVES" project finale, “PERSPECTIVES II” Performance
BILLIE DAVIES trio
Billie Davies, drums
Evan Oberla, piano/keys
Oliver Watkinson, bass
Featuring
Ari Kohn, reeds
Iris P, vocals
Allie Porter, vocals
Artivism Dance Theatre, dance improvisation
venue
Art Klub Theater, 1941 Arts Street, New Orleans LA 70117 June 1, 2018 - 8 pm
tickets
Door:
tickets
Door:
$18 general admission $15 for artists seniors students teachers
Online:
Online:
The live performance will be recorded live for sound and video and will be produced as a digital only album (music) and streaming video/DVD (music/video) and is slated to be released in the fall of 2018.
Following the improvisational exploration of “PERSPECTIVES I” (https://youtu.be/Ub06p6NTV3A), performed at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Music At The Mint, on January 31 2018, the project finale, “PERSPECTIVES II”, continues an all spontaneous, instinctive, intuitive improvisation inspired by 7 perspectives, words and 7 chakra musical keys, expressed by a quartet of piano / keys, baritone sax / flute, bass and drums, vocals / spoken word by 2 female vocalists and 2 female dancers.
“PERSPECTIVES II”
"All of my music is improvisational... a conversation between musicians and musical instruments. A joint emotional expression inspired by a certain common feeling, thought or perspective in an instinctual, unpredictable, freely expressed improvisation exploring authentic feelings and inspirations that is being communicated to an audience, a listener, a community." - Billie Davies
Perspectives that affect all human beings, regardless of race, nationality, culture, gender, creed, religion, politics, social status and personhood.
Abstract Expressionist Improvisations
Abstract Expressionist Improvisations
Neither confused by the light Nor blinded by dogma, color or political correctness
An ever evolving improvisation, a message to raise the awareness of life and living, love and loving from a deeply natural, instinctive perspective, so people start to listen to their heart, to feel their soul, without fear, wholly responsible for every action taken, and in doing so feel truly happy and fulfilled in harmony with mother nature.
A symphony to mother nature, to the tree of life and people. One big conversation where each artist responds to another artist’s call, where each and every action taken is in response to another, all being influenced by each other, all being one and one with mother nature.
Musicians expressing through sound, vocalists through words and dancers through movement, all expressing perspectives of Nature, Life, Happiness, Love, Freedom, Art and Rhythm.
An ever evolving improvisation, a message to raise the awareness of life and living, love and loving from a deeply natural, instinctive perspective, so people start to listen to their heart, to feel their soul, without fear, wholly responsible for every action taken, and in doing so feel truly happy and fulfilled in harmony with mother nature.
A symphony to mother nature, to the tree of life and people. One big conversation where each artist responds to another artist’s call, where each and every action taken is in response to another, all being influenced by each other, all being one and one with mother nature.
Musicians expressing through sound, vocalists through words and dancers through movement, all expressing perspectives of Nature, Life, Happiness, Love, Freedom, Art and Rhythm.
About The Performers
BILLIE DAVIES trio
Billie Davies - Drums.
Billie is an American female drummer and composer best known for her avant garde and avant-garde jazz compositions since the mid-1990s, and her improvisational drumming techniques.
“Billie Davies is a very accomplished free-jazz drummer. Born in Belgium, she now lives in New Orleans, having spent much of her life living peripatetically. Previous reviewers have made much of the self-taught nature of her drumming. I defy any listener to distinguish her playing from someone ‘schooled’ in jazz drumming. There is a vitality and fluidity in the way that she plays the drum kit... her stories explain her drumming... ” - Chris Baber, Jazz Views (Jun 30, 2016)
Her 2012 release of “all about Love” solidified her position as a professional jazz musician. This recording of standards and original music, charted #1 in CMJ Jazz College Radio Charts for ‘top jazz add’ in new albums and went on to stay in the top 20 for 4 weeks. Also well received in Canada, the album ended up in the Top 10 on three different !Earshot Jazz charts.
In October, 2013 Billie released “12 VOLT” which garnered national and international attention. CJ Bond, JAZZ MUSIC, wrote, “12 VOLT” adds the crucial tyne of 'composer/arranger' to her sterling artistic fork, augmenting fearless innovation. Jan Hocek of His Voice in Prague wrote:”Without hesitation - HIGH VOLTAGE avant-garde JAZZ - one of the most remarkable trio albums of the year!"
In 2013 Billie Davies received the "Jazz Artist of the Year" Award by the 23rd Annual Los Angeles Music Awards. In March of 2014 she moved to New Orleans where she recorded "Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon" in 2015.
She received more national and international attention due to a player feature in Downbeat Magazine May 2016 edition, "BILLIE DAVIES '20 Years Stronger'".
"On Hollywood Boulevard", released in 12/10/2016 became a January 2017 Editor's Pick on DownBeat.com.
December 2017 Billie Davies was nominated for "Best Contemporary Jazz Artist" in New Orleans by OffBeat Magazine.
Evan Oberla - Piano/Keys/Synth & Trombone.
"Music never stops, it only begins. All the music that ever was exists now. It is the musician's job to tune into the universe and become a vessel for the music of the moment." Evan Oberla
Evan was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, playing piano and guitar at an early age. In 5th grade he picked up the trombone for the school band. In high school his musicality led him to participate in multiple jazz ensembles, including the acclaimed Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra. Evan graduated in June 2009 from Ohio State University with a degree in Jazz Studies performance. A diverse and active musician based out of New Orleans, LA, he can be found with acts such as EO & The Tasty Sapiens, Brass Lightning, Sexual Thunder, Allie Porter Band, Billie Davies, Miss Mojo, Mike Dillon & more. Evan has toured nationally with O.A.R., Allen Stone, and Elle King.
Oliver Watkinson - Electric & Upright Bass.
Born in Brunswick Maine, Oliver began studying music at the age of five. He attended college in Boston at the New England Conservatory, where he had the opportunity to study upright jazz bass and perform with greats such as Lee Konitz, Dave Holland, Jason Moran, Cecil McBee, and many more. In 2014, Oliver moved to New Orleans and began performing with BILLIE DAVIES in 2015, Gandhi Castle, Laelume, and various street bands. He has taught and performed all over the United States, as well as Central America and Canada.
Billie is an American female drummer and composer best known for her avant garde and avant-garde jazz compositions since the mid-1990s, and her improvisational drumming techniques.
“Billie Davies is a very accomplished free-jazz drummer. Born in Belgium, she now lives in New Orleans, having spent much of her life living peripatetically. Previous reviewers have made much of the self-taught nature of her drumming. I defy any listener to distinguish her playing from someone ‘schooled’ in jazz drumming. There is a vitality and fluidity in the way that she plays the drum kit... her stories explain her drumming... ” - Chris Baber, Jazz Views (Jun 30, 2016)
Her 2012 release of “all about Love” solidified her position as a professional jazz musician. This recording of standards and original music, charted #1 in CMJ Jazz College Radio Charts for ‘top jazz add’ in new albums and went on to stay in the top 20 for 4 weeks. Also well received in Canada, the album ended up in the Top 10 on three different !Earshot Jazz charts.
In October, 2013 Billie released “12 VOLT” which garnered national and international attention. CJ Bond, JAZZ MUSIC, wrote, “12 VOLT” adds the crucial tyne of 'composer/arranger' to her sterling artistic fork, augmenting fearless innovation. Jan Hocek of His Voice in Prague wrote:”Without hesitation - HIGH VOLTAGE avant-garde JAZZ - one of the most remarkable trio albums of the year!"
In 2013 Billie Davies received the "Jazz Artist of the Year" Award by the 23rd Annual Los Angeles Music Awards. In March of 2014 she moved to New Orleans where she recorded "Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon" in 2015.
She received more national and international attention due to a player feature in Downbeat Magazine May 2016 edition, "BILLIE DAVIES '20 Years Stronger'".
"On Hollywood Boulevard", released in 12/10/2016 became a January 2017 Editor's Pick on DownBeat.com.
December 2017 Billie Davies was nominated for "Best Contemporary Jazz Artist" in New Orleans by OffBeat Magazine.
Evan Oberla - Piano/Keys/Synth & Trombone.
"Music never stops, it only begins. All the music that ever was exists now. It is the musician's job to tune into the universe and become a vessel for the music of the moment." Evan Oberla
Evan was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, playing piano and guitar at an early age. In 5th grade he picked up the trombone for the school band. In high school his musicality led him to participate in multiple jazz ensembles, including the acclaimed Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra. Evan graduated in June 2009 from Ohio State University with a degree in Jazz Studies performance. A diverse and active musician based out of New Orleans, LA, he can be found with acts such as EO & The Tasty Sapiens, Brass Lightning, Sexual Thunder, Allie Porter Band, Billie Davies, Miss Mojo, Mike Dillon & more. Evan has toured nationally with O.A.R., Allen Stone, and Elle King.
Oliver Watkinson - Electric & Upright Bass.
Born in Brunswick Maine, Oliver began studying music at the age of five. He attended college in Boston at the New England Conservatory, where he had the opportunity to study upright jazz bass and perform with greats such as Lee Konitz, Dave Holland, Jason Moran, Cecil McBee, and many more. In 2014, Oliver moved to New Orleans and began performing with BILLIE DAVIES in 2015, Gandhi Castle, Laelume, and various street bands. He has taught and performed all over the United States, as well as Central America and Canada.
FEATURING
Ari Kohn - Reeds
Born in Portland, OR he now lives in New Orleans and is a jazz studies graduate from Tulane University. Ari is fast becoming one of the important younger musicians in New Orleans. He is a very creative and dedicated reeds/woodwind player that can be found playing with Brass Lightning, Miss Mojo, Allen Stone, Elle King, Sexual Thunder!, Doombalaya, Noruz, and more.
He is a BOOST Music Teacher at New Orleans College Prep Charter Schools.
He played and performed with the Billie Davies Ensemble horn section in 2015 and with Billie Davies & The Bad Boyzzzz horn section in 2015/16.
He joined BILLIE DAVIES in January of 2018 for the “PERSPECTIVES I & II” project.
IRIS P - vocals
Born in 1985, in New Orleans, Catherine Poree' aka IRIS P, discovered her talent when she received her very first instrument, a violin, at the age of 6. From there she went on to perform in orchestra concerts and a host of plays, but most of all enjoyed singing with her mother, the late Marilyn J. Etienne, also known as LADY GOSPEL. In 2010 IRIS P started her mission to "save the world" by performing her original songs written from her extravagant poetry debuting a plethora of songs from her Underground EP "I Got Issues". IRIS P shows style like no-other with Jazz Melodies when she played "Billie Holiday" in "Dryades Street Divas Review" in the summer of 2014, held at Ashe's Cultural Center. She won "Nola’s Hottest Female Vocalist In October of 2014" at the Nola Hip Hop Awards, and headlined in the Foundation Room at the New Orleans House of Blues.
IRIS P - vocals
Born in 1985, in New Orleans, Catherine Poree' aka IRIS P, discovered her talent when she received her very first instrument, a violin, at the age of 6. From there she went on to perform in orchestra concerts and a host of plays, but most of all enjoyed singing with her mother, the late Marilyn J. Etienne, also known as LADY GOSPEL. In 2010 IRIS P started her mission to "save the world" by performing her original songs written from her extravagant poetry debuting a plethora of songs from her Underground EP "I Got Issues". IRIS P shows style like no-other with Jazz Melodies when she played "Billie Holiday" in "Dryades Street Divas Review" in the summer of 2014, held at Ashe's Cultural Center. She won "Nola’s Hottest Female Vocalist In October of 2014" at the Nola Hip Hop Awards, and headlined in the Foundation Room at the New Orleans House of Blues.
She joined BILLIE DAVIES for the recording of “On Hollywood Boulevard” in 2016.
Allie Porter - vocals
Hails from Crofton, MD and is a singer and songwriter now living in New Orleans with honest pipes and a heart of gold bringing you the music of your past, present and future.
She has been influenced by Grace Slick, Joni Mitchell, Irma Thomas, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Beyonce and Janis Joplin.
She can be seen performing in New Orleans with The Allie Porter Band, The Holy Trinity Trio and more.
Allie Porter - vocals
Hails from Crofton, MD and is a singer and songwriter now living in New Orleans with honest pipes and a heart of gold bringing you the music of your past, present and future.
She has been influenced by Grace Slick, Joni Mitchell, Irma Thomas, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Beyonce and Janis Joplin.
She can be seen performing in New Orleans with The Allie Porter Band, The Holy Trinity Trio and more.
She joined BILLIE DAVIES in January of 2018 for the “PERSPECTIVES I & II” project.
Sophia Rabinovitz - Artivism Dance TheatreArtivism Dance Theatre is a collective dedicated to bringing awareness of social issues to a wide range of audiences through dance theatre. Artivism aims to generate discussion amongst its audiences and open a dialogue around these important issues. We prioritize communication of social message over esoteric performance, often using multimedia techniques in our work. We believe that art, and specifically movement, can communicate perspective and experience across gaps in culture, language, and tradition that might otherwise remain unbreachable.
Artistic Director and Founder Sophia Rabinovitz has been creating work since she could walk and directing since she could speak. She began formally training at the age of six and holds a BFA in Dance, a BA in Anthropology from Temple University and a MA in Dance Cultures from the University of Surrey. Her training in dance consists of a multitude of different forms and her choreography reflects this diversity. Sophia’s choreography is varied in its origin and innovative in its combination of movement styles, such as West African, Caribbean, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Latin dance. She strongly believes in the power of movement to express ideas, educate, and to encourage discussion about major issues in our society. This belief has inspired Sophia to create Artivism Dance Theatre, producing work that reflects the world we live in and inspiring dialogue about important issues in our society.
Sophia Rabinovitz - Artivism Dance TheatreArtivism Dance Theatre is a collective dedicated to bringing awareness of social issues to a wide range of audiences through dance theatre. Artivism aims to generate discussion amongst its audiences and open a dialogue around these important issues. We prioritize communication of social message over esoteric performance, often using multimedia techniques in our work. We believe that art, and specifically movement, can communicate perspective and experience across gaps in culture, language, and tradition that might otherwise remain unbreachable.
Artistic Director and Founder Sophia Rabinovitz has been creating work since she could walk and directing since she could speak. She began formally training at the age of six and holds a BFA in Dance, a BA in Anthropology from Temple University and a MA in Dance Cultures from the University of Surrey. Her training in dance consists of a multitude of different forms and her choreography reflects this diversity. Sophia’s choreography is varied in its origin and innovative in its combination of movement styles, such as West African, Caribbean, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Latin dance. She strongly believes in the power of movement to express ideas, educate, and to encourage discussion about major issues in our society. This belief has inspired Sophia to create Artivism Dance Theatre, producing work that reflects the world we live in and inspiring dialogue about important issues in our society.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Billie Davies Radio
Billie Davies Radio
Who says Monday can't be the best day of the week? Get the good vibes flowing with Billie Davies Radio.
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