“It seems like I’ve always played, in some form…I really enjoy what I do.  I’m very blessed and very fortunate to do what I do because I enjoy it.  I’m very lucky.”
 
This month, Smoothviews goes back to the Windy City to introduce you to the talented drummer, Clyde Davis. There must be something in the water, or, in the wind there that produces and nurtures musical talent.  Clyde hails from a city with a rich musical history, and he is one of many to continue that legacy.

Clyde’s musical journey began even before he picked up an instrument.  As a child, music surrounded his life, and he credits his mother as being his primary influence.  “She always loved music.  My mother had a record collection you would not believe.  There was always music going on.  There was always some record being played.  There was always some music going on in my background.”  When he began to play in school, his mother wanted him to play the saxophone, but he wanted to play drums.  As it turned out, the saxophone section was full, so he began playing the flute, since the fingering for the saxophone and flute are the same.  The goal was to move to the saxophone section when one of those players left.  By the time one of those players left, Clyde, against his mother’s wishes, took up the drums.  “I had a window of 40 minutes between the time I got home from school and the time she got home from work, and I made the most out of those 40 minutes, believe me.  There were times when I was running home just so I could get to my [drum] kit.” 

Though Clyde began playing in elementary school, he did not get serious until high school.  “I never really thought about making a living at it until I was old,” he jokingly says.  “I’ve always played, in some form.  I definitely wanted to do music, but I wasn’t sure.  There was never a thought that I could support my family, or meet my responsibilities playing drums.  I just didn’t think about it.”  Playing a gig with the Staple Singers in front of 18,000 people one night was the turning point for Clyde.  “That’s when I realized I wanted to do this, to find a way to make this a reality.”  Clyde began to play around Chicago, at churches, at clubs, wherever there was music to be made.  He had a standing Sunday night gig at a local venue that he played for three or four years.  Over time, it became a hangout of sorts for Chicago’s musical talent.  They would find their way to the venue and play whenever they were in town.  He played briefly with bass player Richard Patterson, in Patterson’s Hump City band, along with a guy named Art Porter, and another one named Steve Cole. 

His other musical influences include a lot of people like Steve Cobb, Kevin Brunson, friends, peers, and Chicago based musicians.  “I guess my contemporaries were the people who influenced me the most because you can’t let that guy be able to out play you.  You have to be able to keep up.  There’s always that competition.” And with a list of names that includes people like Oscar Seaton, Kahari Parker, Chris Miskel, Felix D Cat, and Teddy Campbell, that competition was pretty tough.  It’s a brotherhood, as well as a friendly rivalry.  “At one point, we were all bouncing around from house to house, rehearsing or practicing, or meeting at some church at two or three in the morning playing drums.  With some of these guys, we’ve played and goofed around with each other for 10, 20 years.”
  
Among his all time favorite influences are the renowned Vinnie Colaiuta and Steve Jordan.  “I’ve grown up listening to Steve.  Of all the people I would want to emulate, it would be him because he’s so versatile.”

Clyde likes to think that he kind of fell into becoming a professional musician.  I prefer to think that it’s fate – that he was destined to make his living playing drums.  How else could you explain it?  He’s tried other things, other occupations, but the music has always been a constant.  The music has always been there in some way, shape, or form.  He would play one gig, and then someone would recommend him for another gig, and so on. 

Clyde has an impressive resume, which includes gigs with The Sax Pack, and Steve Cole (where we first saw him.)  In addition, he’s played with Peter White, Four 80 East, Down to the Bone, blues musician Sugar Blue, and Aretha Franklin (for whom he played percussion.)  He’s played gigs with Rob Mullins, Wilton Felder, and Alphonso Johnson.   Of course, he’d love to play with Stevie Wonder, Prince, or Sting. (“If they call, I could retire.”) But, one of the highlights of his career was performing in a fundraiser for the Art Porter Jr.’s Children’s Education Fund, mostly because he got to play with Brenda Russell and Jeff Lorber.  Clyde is a big fan of Jeff Lorber and would welcome the opportunity to play with him again. “I think Jeff makes some of the most interesting music.  He Had a Hat was a great album.  I remember him with the Jeff Lorber fusion.  There’s something about his writing.  He writes great stuff.  I would love that opportunity, not just to do a couple of tunes, but to actually work with him.  That would be a good thing for me.  If they call and want me to play, I’m there baby!”

Listening to Clyde talk about some of the highlights of his career, and, naming those musicians he wants to play with, it’s not hard to see the common denominator.  These people are all outstanding writers, as well as world class musicians.  Good writing is something that’s important to him.  “That’s been a pet peeve of mine [with the] music that’s being played now.  Just let the music stand.  It doesn’t have to have a lot of flash.  It doesn’t take a lot of fluff if the music is good.”    

Drumming is not only his profession, but his recreation as well.  When not playing drums, Clyde likes to spend time with his three children.  He has a 22 year old daughter who’s finishing college and about to go to medical school, a 12 year old daughter, and a nine year old son who is just getting into basketball. 

Clyde would like to release his own project, either with a group or as a solo.  “There’s a lot of music that I hear.  There’s a lot of stuff that I want to do.  Jerry [Johnson] and I have been threatening to do something for years, and we just haven’t.  The time hasn’t been right.”  In the meantime, he’ll Clyde will continue to play. “The gigs are a blast.  I’ve gone around the world because of playing drums, and I’ve met lots of people.  The guys [the musicians] are really talented, and very personable.  I’m in a really good place, career wise.”  Look for Clyde with The Sax Pack and with Steve Cole.