N. GLENN DAVIS
Background

N. Glenn Davis is a recording artist, drummer, composer, and educator. Davis's debut CD, The N Glenn Davis Quartet, A Different View was released by the Jazzed Media label and featured ten of his compositions. Davis's second release on Jazzed Media, The N. Glenn Davis Quintet Come Right In, features the legendary Phil Woods on alto sax, Mark Soskin on piano, Dean Johnson on bass, Jack Schantz on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Dave Sterner on alto and soprano saxophone. The recording featured eight Davis compositions and two jazz classics. Glenn’s current release titled What Could Be is a classic piano trio recording featuring Mark Soskin on piano and Peter Dominguez on bass.

Davis grew up in the Cleveland area studying drums with Bob McKee. Among his early influences were Cleveland drummers Skip Hadden, Val Kent, and Jamey Haddad. He attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1979. In addition to drums, his studies included arranging, harmony, and percussion studies with Gary Chaffee, Joe Hunt, and Dean Anderson. A highlight of Davis's education was studying with master drummer Alan Dawson who had a strong influence on his musical style. Davis lived and played music in Boston for eleven years cutting his teeth on the vibrant Boston jazz scene of the 70s. Davis performed around the city regularly with notable musicians, Mike Stern, Jeff Richman, Grey Sargent, Tiger Okoshi, Santi Debriano, John Lockwood, Neil Stubanhaus, Cathy Segal, Bill Molenhoff and Mike Hatfield  among others. 

Spending a few years in NYC, Davis worked with Rino Minetti, freelanced extensively, and performed with The Benny Salzano Quintet. Glenn has had his solo transcriptions of Max Roach and Philly Joe Jones published in The Modern Drummer.

Returning to the Cleveland area in the late 80s, Davis kept busy playing on the local scene, teaching music, and raising a family. Davis currently leads his own jazz quartet and quintet. He has also performed and has been featured at Cleveland’s premier jazz club Night Town backing well known jazz artists such as, Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Mundell Lowe, Houston Person, Ken Peplowski, Eric Alexander, Harold Mabern and many others. Davis earned his Masters in Music Education from The University of Akron, and balanced teaching music in the Cleveland Schools with performing in the Cleveland area for several years. Davis and his wife Judy have relocated to sunny Arizona. Davis remains busy on the Phoenix music scene performing with many talented musicians.