Melvin Lee Davis - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Los Angeles native Melvin Lee Davis was discovered at the tender age of 16 by Buddy Miles, when a horn player from Buddy Miles' band heard Melvin playing in a local club.Buddy Miles flew Davis to New York to audition for his band and immediately hired him. After playing the New York club circuit, Melvin found himself working with Don Cornelius of Soul Train. There he worked as a studio/touring bassist for pop artist and long time friend O'Bryan.He has also toured and recorded with Chaka Khan, the Pointer Sisters, Lee Ritenour, Bryan Ferry, David Benoit, Larry Carlton, Patti Austin, Gladys Knight, Fusion Group "KUSH" and many other top acts. Davis wrote the theme for the TV show "The Party Machine" and "Soul Train's A Coming" and has appeared on "Johnny Carson", "David Letterman", "Jay Leno", and "Arsenio Hall."Melvin has travelled the world and continues to be in high demand across many genres of music because of his incredible talent and positive demeanor on and off stage.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/13/2006
Band Website: melvinleedavis.com
Band Members: MELVIN LEE DAVISCAPABILITIES: Proficient at 4,5,6, and 7 String Basses, Fretted and Fretless, Acoustic Bass, Synth Bass, Keyboards, Lead and Backing Vocals.MAIN INSTRUMENT: Ken Smith Custom MD7 String Contra Bass GuitarPERSONAL: Creative, open-minded, enjoys meeting people, highly expressive on stage, punctual, willing and able to travel.PREFERRED STYLES OF MUSIC: (as labeled by the music industry) - Gospel - Blues - Jazz (Swing/Be-Bop) - Contemporary Jazz - R & B (Rhythm & Blues) - Pop - Soul / Funk - Hip HopTOURING AND SINGLE PERFORMANCES WITH: Currently: Gerald Albright, David Pack, Lee Ritenour, Eric Marienthal, Jeff Kashiwa, Phil Perry2004: David Benoit and Russ Freeman Project II, Lee Ritenour2003: Matt Goss UK Tour2003: Jeff Kashiwa & Coastal Access / Lee Ritenour / Eric Marienthal / Phil Perry / The Braxton Brothers / Paul Taylor / Chuck Loeb / Huge Groove / Jeff Lorber / Gerald Albright / AB /2002: Doves Of Fire w/Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Jeff Babko. Rufus featuring Chaka Khan / Lee Ritenour / Jeff Kashiwa & Coastal Access2001: Chaka Khan / Lee Ritenour / Jeff Kashiwa & Coastal Access 1999: Performed with "The Simon Phillips Group" 1996: George Duke 1995: The Lee Ritenour/Larry Carlton Project 1990-1997: Lee Ritenour 1994-1995: World tour with Bryan Ferry 1994: David Benoit and Russ Freeman Project 1989-1997: Chaka Khan 1985-1993: The Pointer Sisters 1980-1987: O'BryanPRODUCTION:Mark Stephens's "Up coming CD release (co-produced, engineered and mixed at The Bassment Studio)Eric Marienthal's "Sweet Talk" (co-produced, engineered and mixed at The Bassment Studio)Nature's Serenade (recorded and produced and mixed at The Bassment Studio)Tomorrow's Yesterdays (recorded and produced and mixed at The Bassment Studio)Variations In Time (recorded and produced and mixed at The Bassment Studio)TELEVISION PERFORMANCES: Rosie O'Donnell Show Oprah Winfrey Show The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson Late Night with David Letterman The Tonight Show with Jay Leno NBC's "Up all night with the Pointer Sisters" "Eye On L.A." w/ Pointer Sisters Arsenio Hall Show; Soul Train NBC's Fraiser, Cheers The Danny Baker Show (London) Show,Show,Show (Korea) Hard Rock Live VH-1 Howey Mandell Show HBO Special "Sinbad Funk Fest" HBO's "The Chris Rock Show" Motown Live! BET's "Jazz Central"MOTION PICTURE RECORDINGS AND PERFORMANCES:"Coming To America" Starring Eddie Murphy & Arsenio Hall "Jump Shot" Starring Kim Basinger & Danny DeVito
Influences: music of the world.
Record Label: The Orchard (Bassment Productions)
Type of Label: Indie