Growing up in Nottingham, England, Kevin Davy was exposed to a wide variety of Jamaican music like mento, ska and reggae, besides rock n' roll, blues, jazz and pop. In his early teens, back in the mid-1970s, Davy decided to focus on jazz, but before that he was a sideman in a marching band. “I played the bugle and cavalry trumpet. This was for fun, outside of school hours. Eventually I played lead trumpet," he recalls. Today, he's one of the most recognised trumpet and flugelhorn players on the British scene. But he is also passionate about literature, sport, art and cinema. "I love creative things," he says.
Davy will be one of the star attractions at the International Jazz Festival this weekend. While he will headline day one on Friday, the fest also includes performances by American saxophonist Greg Banaszak, Italian vocalist Elisabetta Antonini, Austrian group Worry Later and Kolkata pianist Pradyumna Munot among others.
The festival marks Davy’s debut in India. “Though I have played close by in Sri Lanka, at the Colombo Jazz Festival,” he says. The set list will focus on the work of legendary composer and trumpeter Miles Davis, who has had a huge influence on Davy. “What impressed me most was that he was never afraid to be creative and experiment,” explains the 56-year-old trumpeter. “Also, he had some great collaborations and made some wonderful innovations. “Besides Davis, Davy was inspired by trumpeters like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Cherry, Lester Bowie and Freddie Hubbard.” The music I heard as a child shaped my tastes,” he says.
On a final note, he's asked how to keep jazz alive among the younger generation, which is actually exposed to other genres today. Davy replies, "To get the younger people involved, one just has to connect with them with genuine truth. I see it happening. Honesty connects."
The Kevin Davy Quintet performs at the NCPA International Jazz Festival on Friday. From November 24 to 26. Visit www.ncpamumbai.com
