The Johnsonian

Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Davisanddow.com

"Sensual" and "swinging" are the words that sprout to mind when listening to the style of Davis & Dow, an award-winning jazz duo that puts as much passion into their music as they do into their relationship. On Oct. 4, Julie Davis and Kelly Dow, self-proclaimed "soulmates," will make their way to campus for what promises to be an enlightening and entertaining performance.
The Johnsonian questioned the duo on their inspiration, background and distinct sound.

Who are your biggest sources of inspiration?
Kelly: For guitar, it would be Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt. We both listen to and are inspired by all kinds of music from Bach to Basie, to Bela Fleck, etc…
Julie: I love the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn - pure genius. Obviously, as a singer, I love Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday. I draw my inspiration from musicians who stretch the boundaries of the expected.

If you could describe your sound or style in your own words, what would they be?
Kelly: We are deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. This means having a sense of swing, improvising and being extemporaneous on the band stand. Specifically on guitar I want to get a clean and acoustic sound where you hear and feel the wood of the instrument.
Julie: The art of intimate singing is a lost art. I approach every song as if it were my story; I own it. I am also a singer who scats like an instrument. That is a part of my musical vocabulary. I try to do all this with grace and beauty.

How did you both get your start, and why jazz?
Kelly: I went to a music conservatory run by guitarist Jackie King, who was just an unbelievable jazz guitarist, and when I heard him I thought, "I want to play like that!" After the conservatory, I majored in music at North Texas, which had a tremendous jazz program. Jazz is like the Olympics of music. It is very challenging on a number of levels: technically, intellectually and creatively.
Julie: I started sitting in at jam sessions when I was very young and have always had a passion to sing. My family encouraged me to pursue music but I never really took it to the next level until I met Kelly. That is when a whole new world opened up. We met through a newspaper ad: "Singer seeking musicians to rehearse and form a band with." Kelly called, and after we met it all fell into place. I grew up listening to all kinds of jazz, so it is in my soul. You could say I am a natural.

To what do you attribute your unique, sensual sound?
Kelly: In addition to being musical partners, we are married and in love. This gives our music a very intimate rapport, and we share this with the audience.

When you aren't dazzling audiences during one of your performances, what do you do for fun?
Kelly: Being in Florida, we love going to Disney World and Universal and riding the roller coasters!
Julie: I love making homemade pizza, watching old movies and playing Scrabble. We have mega Scrabble tournaments!

You've traveled New York, London, Japan and even the Cayman Islands; is there any place that you haven't been that you would love to tour?
Kelly: Paris and Rio.
Julie: Paris, Italy

What is your response to critics who may accuse you of being too "controversial" or "edgy"?
Kelly: Musically, the critics have been pretty good to us, although we have a risqué CD cover that one magazine didn't get. The CD is entitled "Naked" because just a guitar and voice is musically very exposed. So Julie had a great idea for an album cover where Julie is in front of me and the guitar is in front of Julie and we appear to be naked. Most people love the picture and get the artistic aspect. My only response is I wished they would have reviewed the music as well as the cover.
Julie: In our genre, those words don't come to mind.

Why should Winthrop students attend the event?
Julie: First of all, it gives people a chance to experience jazz for the first, second or third time and to see it is not stuffy or hard to understand. It can be fun. Second of all, the show is about these women who overcame boundaries and obstacles and became a huge credit to their race, sex and the human experience.
Kelly: Extra credit!

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