Lynn Davis (singer)
Lynn Davis | |
---|---|
Birth name | Lynn Blythe Davis |
Born | Jamestown, California, U.S. | July 12, 1958
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
|
Instrument(s) | Vocals , piano, keyboards |
Years active | 1977–present |
Labels | |
Website | lynndavismusic |
Lynn Davis (born July 12, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer.[1] She rose to prominence after joining The George Duke Band in 1977. During her time with the band, she sang lead vocals on some of their biggest hits: "I Want You for Myself", "Party Down", and "Thief in the Night". Under the guidance of Epic Records musician and mentor George Duke, Davis continued booking success by contributing background vocals and writing songs for many singers including Tracie Spencer, La Toya Jackson, Patrice Rushen, Anita Baker, and many other singers.[2]
Davis's musical genre has varied throughout her career including
Throughout her career, Davis has written songs and contributed background vocals for over 100 different singers and musical groups.[3] Known for her wide, high-reaching vocal range, she is recognized as one of the most successful and musical recorded session vocalists of the era. She has also been a back-up singer for a number of famous artists, including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Toshinobu Kubota, as well as toured with Yanni for a short period of time, where her popularity has grown among worldwide audiences.
Early life
Lynn Blythe Davis was born in
Career
1977–1987: The George Duke Band
At the age of 18, Lynn began a professional singing career when she joined singer/musician George Duke and his band for his tour. During this time, The George Duke Band consisted of George Duke, Josie James, Sheila E., Napoleon Murphy Brock, Charles Foster Johnson, Byron Miller, and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler. In 1978, Lynn contributed background vocals on the title-track album "No One Home" by Argentine composer/pianist Lalo Schifrin.[2] In the same year, she contributed background vocals along with The George Duke Band on Flora Purim's album Carry On. In 1979, Lynn contributed background vocals on the songs "Summer Breezin'" and "I Need You Now", which were featured on George Duke's album A Brazilian Love Affair. In mid-1979, Lynn became the featured vocalist on the single "I Want You for Myself", which was released on George Duke's album Master of the Game.[2] The single charted at number 23 on Billboard's Hot R&B chart and on the Hot Dance Club Songs' chart.[4] In the same year, Lynn began providing background vocals for singer Patrice Rushen, whom she met during the recording sessions with Lalo Schifrin. The songs were featured on Rushen's hit album Pizzazz.[2]
In 1980, Lynn began contributing background vocals for
In early 1983, Lynn joined The Gene Dunlap Band. The band released their first album, entitled Tired of Being a Nice Guy.[2] Lynn returned to the George Duke Band and they released their album Guardian Of The Light. Lynn later toured with the George Duke Band for their worldwide tour. During the tour, the George Duke Band recorded their live album Live in Tokyo, Japan 1983, which was also released on DVD. Later that year, Lynn joined Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing Tour as a backup vocalist. The tour also featured, fellow George Duke Band member, Sheila E. and her brother Peter Michael Escovedo. Lynn continued to provide background vocals on Duke's following albums: "Rendezvous" (1984), "Super Keyboards" (1984), "Thief in the Night" (1985), and "George Duke" (1986).
In 1985, she recorded two songs that would appear on Rodney Franklin's album Marathon; "Stay On in the Groove" and a duet song "Love Is the Answer" with Darryl Coley. In 1986, Lynn recorded two songs "The First Time" and "It's Your Turn", which were featured in the film Flying: Dream To Believe. In 1987, George Duke formed a R&B group called "101 North", which Lynn was briefly a part of along with fellow George Duke Band members Josie James, Napoleon Murphy Brock, and Carl Carwell. The group released their self-titled debut album in August 1987.
1987–1995: Touring with Toshinobu Kubota and Yanni
In 1987, Lynn was introduced to uprising Japanese singer Toshinobu Kubota, who was impressed with her stage performance during the Japan Aid 2nd Festival in October 1987. Later that year, Lynn re-located to Japan and began recording regularly with Kubota and eventually became a backup singer for him during his "I Need Your Funky Thang Tour". In the same year, Lynn met Japanese singer/musician Hiroshi Satoh. Satoh produced a song for Lynn called "Lady of the Nile" and a duet song with Satoh entitled "Together", which appeared on his album Future File.[5]
In 1988, she was featured on Kubota's single "Indigo Waltz" from his third album
In 1989, Lynn appeared on Toshinobu Kubota's single "Give You My Love". The song peaked at number 3 on the Oricon Singles Chart, selling over 150,000 copies in Japan.[6] In 1990, Lynn made a guest appearance Kubota's fourth album Bonga Wanga, in which she sings background vocals on the lead single "Be Wannabe". In the same year, Lynn and Toshinobu Kubota performed a live cover of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's single "The Closer I Get to You" on a Japan's national music program. In 1991, Lynn joined Toshinobu Kubota during his "Bonga Wanga Spring Tour" as a backup singer. After the conclusion of the tour, she parted ways with the singer. After returning to America, Lynn began providing background vocals and writing songs on many albums for Phil Perry, Diane Schuur, Tevin Campbell, Patti Austin, Aretha Franklin, Phyllis Hyman, and Peabo Bryson.[2][3]
In 1992, she began recording with Go West. She contributed background vocals on the lead single "Faithful" as well as "Tell Me" and "King of Wishful Thinking" for their album Indian Summer.[2] She contributed background vocals for Kenny G's album Breathless. In the same year, Lynn re-joined long-time friend George Duke and performed on his album, Snapshot.[2]
In the summer of 1993, Lynn was asked to tour with Greek-American composer Yanni. Along with Darlene Koldenhoven, she performed the song "Aria" during each concert.[7] She continued to tour with Yanni throughout the end of 1995, during end of his Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts 1995. The performances were recorded live and released on two of Yanni's live DVD: Live at the Acropolis (1994) and Live at Royal Albert Hall (1995).[3]
1996–present: Later career
In 1996 and 1997, she contributed background vocals for albums that would be released by Eros Ramazzotti,[8] Celine Dion,[9] Vonda Shepard,[10] and Puff Johnson.[11] In 1998, she was contributed background vocals for the Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey single "When You Believe".[12][13] In 2000, she recorded with Elton John and Tim Rice for their collaboration album, The Road to El Dorado.[14]
In 2001, Davis appeared on Pat Thomi's album Remote Control as a guest vocalist on the song "Love's Own Time".[15] Davis would later go on to record music with Gerald Albright,[16] Laura Pausini,[17] Cerrone,[18] Meat Loaf,[19] The Mooney Suzuki,[20] Frank McComb,[21] and Lynne Fiddmont.[22]
In 2008, Davis reunited with George Duke and the original members of The George Duke Band to record "Dukey Treats" and "Mercy" for his album "Dukey Treats".[23] In August 2013, Davis briefly reunited with The George Duke Band at the George Duke Memorial Service. Along with her band mates, she gave a brief commentary about her mentor George Duke. She also performed "Brazilian Love Affair" with The George Duke Band and Stanley Clarke.
In October 2022, Davis released the first single "Can I Come Over" from her forthcoming album Lynn Davis from the Vault on her independent label Bella Records.[24][25]
Artistry
During her time with the George Duke Band, Duke stated, "The addition of Lynn Davis made a huge difference in what I was able to write. I composed with the band in mind, utilizing each of their personal musical strengths."[26]
Discography
- Singles
- "Can I Come Over"
Tours
- 1979: George Duke Band Tour (with George Duke)
- 1982: Sexual Healing Tour (with Marvin Gaye)
- 1983: Guardian of the Light Tour (with George Duke)
- 1984: The Woman in Red Tour (with Stevie Wonder)
- 1986-87: George Duke Tour (with George Duke)
- 1988: European Tour (with Chaka Khan)
- 1989: I Need Your Funky Thang! Tour (with Toshinobu Kubota)
- 1990: Bonga Wanga Tour (with Toshinobu Kubota)
- 1993-95: Yanni Live, The Symphony Concerts (with Yanni)
References
- ^ Hunter, Dennis (May 10, 1980). "Patrice Rushen at the Roxy: Piano Prodigy Turns R & B Singer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Lynn Davis Discography. Discogs. Retrieved on December 12, 2015
- ^ a b c d e Lynn Davis | Credits | All Music Guide. All Music. Retrieved on December 12, 2015
- ^ George Duke | Awards. All Music. Retrieved on December 13, 2015
- ^ Hiroshi Satoh* – Future File +1. Discogs. Retrieved on December 5, 2016
- ^ Toshinobu Kubota | Oricon Ranking Singles. Oricon. Retrieved on December 5, 2016
- ^ Yanni On Stage Is No Time To Yawn. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Eros Ramazzotti – Eros. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Celine Dion – Let's Talk About Love. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Vonda Shepard - Songs From Ally McBeal. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Puff Johnson - Miracle. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Mariah – #1's. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Whitney Houston – My Love Is Your Love. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Elton John, Tim Rice – The Road To El Dorado. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Pat Thomi - Remote Control. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Gerald Albright - Groovology. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Laura Pausini - From The Inside. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Cerrone - Hysteria. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Meat Loaf - Couldn't Have Said It Better. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ The Mooney Suzuki - Alive & Amplified. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Frank McComb - The Truth Vol. 2. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Lynne Fiddmont - Flow. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ George Duke - Dukey Treats. Discogs. Retrieved on December 8, 2016
- ^ Can I Come Over - Single by Lynn Davis on Apple Music. Apple Music. Retrieved on October 25, 2022
- ^ First Listen: Lynn Davis "Comes Over" in great return. SoulTracks. Retrieved on October 25, 2022
- ^ George Duke 1970s. George Duke. Retrieved on December 5, 2016
External links
- Official website
- Lynn Davis on Facebook
- Lynn Davis discography at Discogs
- Lynn Davis at AllMusic