Jeff Davis

"When Jeff Davis sings the repertoire of the Appalachian Mountains, he cuts through decades and across borders, sitting us right down in the dirt in front of a weather-beaten shack, at the feet of a hillbilly singer. He combines authenticity and art in a rare way." So said the Chronicle Herald of Nova Scotia, summing up what makes Davis pretty well unique amongst American folk revival performers. Jeff is one of those musicians who makes everything look easy. He plays dazzling old-time fiddle, is master of frailing banjo in several different styles, and is just as good on guitar, mandolin or mandocello, without ever striving too hard for showy licks or empty virtuosity. His singing, based on long immersion in the styles of the old singers - and sometimes friendship with them - is truly timeless, conjuring vividly the world of the cowboy or the Civil War soldier. Jeff Davis has an unusual and refreshing repertoire that includes songs and music from New England and the West, as well as the more common Southern mountain material. Admirers of his musicianship and singing range from Bruce Molsky in America to the late Peter Bellamy in England, while cutting-edge folk maverick Tim Eriksen cites him as an important mentor and influence. He has also worked regularly with cowboy singer Skip Gorman. In 2005 Jeff contributed two memorable tracks to the "Songlinks" album of transatlantic song migrants, and was one of the hits of the launch concert in London. He will be releasing a solo CD in 2006. For a number of years Jeff Davis worked with Jeff Warner in a partnership described by the American magazine Dirty Linen as "one of the best old-time duos to be found in this whole country". Davis and Warner toured the UK twice in the mid-1990s, playing festivals including Towersey, Fylde, Chippenham and Cleethorpes, and some of England's best folk clubs, but since then Davis has made only rare solo visits. He has, however, built up a devoted following, and no fan of old-time music or real traditional singing should miss him.

"A fine interpreter of traditional song; worth a lot of salt" Sing Out! (USA)
"An excellent banjo frailer and fiddler" The Living Tradition (UK)
"A fine old-time banjo and fiddle player, and a highly-rated singer" Froots (UK)

MP3 files:
Jeff plays Lincoln Street and Shortnin' Bread
recorded live at Walthamstow Folk Club, April 2005, with Brian Peters, guitar.
Doney Gal, from Jeff's forthcoming CD "Some Fabulous Yonder"
with Brian Peters, melodeon.


"When Jeff Davis sings the repertoire of the Appalachian Mountains, he cuts through decades and across borders, sitting us right down in the dirt in front of a weather-beaten shack, at the feet of a hillbilly singer. He combines authenticity and art in a rare way." So said the Chronicle Herald of Nova Scotia, summing up what makes Davis pretty well unique amongst American folk revival performers. Jeff is one of those musicians who makes everything look easy. He plays dazzling old-time fiddle, is master of frailing banjo in several different styles, and is just as good on guitar, mandolin or mandocello, without ever striving too hard for showy licks or empty virtuosity. His singing, based on long immersion in the styles of the old singers - and sometimes friendship with them - is truly timeless, conjuring vividly the world of the cowboy or the Civil War soldier. Jeff Davis has an unusual and refreshing repertoire that includes songs and music from New England and the West, as well as the more common Southern mountain material. Admirers of his musicianship and singing range from Bruce Molsky in America to the late Peter Bellamy in England, while cutting-edge folk maverick Tim Eriksen cites him as an important mentor and influence. He has also worked regularly with cowboy singer Skip Gorman. In 2005 Jeff contributed two memorable tracks to the "Songlinks" album of transatlantic song migrants, and was one of the hits of the launch concert in London. He will be releasing a solo CD in 2006. For a number of years Jeff Davis worked with Jeff Warner in a partnership described by the American magazine Dirty Linen as "one of the best old-time duos to be found in this whole country". Davis and Warner toured the UK twice in the mid-1990s, playing festivals including Towersey, Fylde, Chippenham and Cleethorpes, and some of England's best folk clubs, but since then Davis has made only rare solo visits. He has, however, built up a devoted following, and no fan of old-time music or real traditional singing should miss him. "A fine interpreter of traditional song; worth a lot of salt" Sing Out! (USA) "An excellent banjo frailer and fiddler" The Living Tradition (UK) "A fine old-time banjo and fiddle player, and a highly-rated singer" Froots (UK) MP3 files: Jeff plays Lincoln Street and Shortnin' Bread recorded live at Walthamstow Folk Club, April 2005, with Brian Peters, guitar. Doney Gal, from Jeff's forthcoming CD "Some Fabulous Yonder" with Brian Peters, melodeon.
Jeff's UK Tour Dates