CHARLIE DAVIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA

Biography

Charlie Davis, born in Indianapolis and the son of trombonist Abijah Davis, emerged as a significant figure in American jazz during the 1920s and 1930s. After receiving classical piano training and learning trumpet, Davis was inspired by the vibrant dance band scene he encountered while attending Notre Dame in 1917. In 1923, he formed the Charlie Davis Band—sometimes called The Joy Gang—in Indianapolis. The group quickly evolved from a small combo into a prominent big band, known for their 'sweet style' and regular performances at Casino Gardens, a leading dance venue in Indianapolis. Their popularity led to a recording contract with Gennett Records, where Davis's compositions, such as 'Copenhagen' and 'Jimtown Blues' (the latter co-written with Fred Rose), became jazz standards.

The Charlie Davis Band's influence extended beyond Indiana, intersecting with notable contemporaries like Hoagy Carmichael and Bix Beiderbecke’s Wolverines, with whom they shared stages at Butler College and Luna Lite Theater in 1924. The Wolverines' recording of Davis's 'Copenhagen' further cemented his legacy in jazz history. By the late 1920s, Davis's orchestra was performing in New York alongside major acts such as Rudy Vallee, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Bojangles Robinson, and Ethel Merman, even sharing a Paramount Theatre marquee with Ellington. The band also toured internationally, performing in Russia, Mexico, Spain, France, Holland, and South Africa. After the band dissolved in the 1930s, Davis transitioned to a business career in Oswego, New York, while several of his band members went on to notable achievements in music and entertainment.

Fun Facts

• The Charlie Davis Band was sometimes billed as 'The Joy Gang.'
• Davis's composition 'Copenhagen' became a jazz standard after being recorded by the Wolverines.
• The band shared a Paramount Theatre marquee with Duke Ellington, a rare honor for regional bands at the time.
• After leaving music, Davis ran a furniture and linoleum business in Oswego, New York.

Members

• Charlie Davis
• Phil Davis - trombone
• Charles Fach - trombone
• Kenny Knot - piano
• Lewis Lowe - lead vocals
• Dick Powell - lead vocals
• Ruby Wright Rapp - lead vocals

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Abijah Davis - Charlie's father and an accomplished trombonist, providing early musical exposure and guidance. (N/A) [Early 1900s]

Key Collaborators

• Dick Powell - Featured vocalist in the Charlie Davis Band before becoming a Hollywood actor and singer. (Performances and recordings with the Charlie Davis Band) [1920s]
• Earle Moss - Clarinetist and occasional trumpeter with the Joy Gang; later became an arranger for CBS radio and Radio City Music Hall. (Performances with the Charlie Davis Band) [1920s]
• Phil Davis - Trombonist with the band; later ran Phil Davis Musical Enterprises. (Performances with the Charlie Davis Band) [1920s]
• Hoagy Carmichael & Bix Beiderbecke’s Wolverines - Shared gigs and musical exchanges, notably at Butler College and Luna Lite Theater. (Live performances; Wolverines recorded Davis's 'Copenhagen') [1924]

Artists Influenced

• Dick Powell - Launched his entertainment career as vocalist with Davis before Hollywood stardom. (Early recordings and performances) [1920s]
• Earle Moss - Developed arranging skills in the band, later applied at CBS and Radio City Music Hall. (Arrangements and radio work) [1930s onward]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. The Drag (Jazz Is Where You Find It 1924-1930)
2. The Drag (Brunswick Recordings of 1928 (Original Recordings))
3. Mean to Me (Gennett Hot Dance, Volume 1 (1927-1930))
4. When (Jazz Is Where You Find It 1924-1930)
5. When (Jazz Is Where You Find It 1924-1930)
6. The Drag (Jazz Is Where You Find It 1924-1930)

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz