Quint Davis

Quint Davis (born November 5, 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States) is an American festival producer and director based in New Orleans. He is best known as the producer of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) founded by George Wein. Davis has been involved in the production of the event from its start in 1970. He is the CEO of Festival Productions, Inc. - New Orleans, the company that produces the Jazz Fest.

Quint Davis
Quint Davis at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 2008
Background information
Birth nameArthur Quentin Davis, Jr.
Born (1947-11-05) November 5, 1947
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Occupation(s)Festival producer, music producer, manager
Years active1970 - present
Associated actsGeorge Wein, Allison Miner
WebsiteFestival Productions Inc. - New Orleans

Biography

Davis was born Arthur Quentin Davis, Jr. in New Orleans.[1] He was the first of three children of the family. His father, Arthur Quentin Davis, was an architect whose firm designed notable buildings such as Louisiana Superdome and the New Orleans Arena.[2]

Davis majored in drama and ethnomusicology at Tulane University.[2] While still in college, Davis met Wein who was looking for local co-workers to produce the Jazz Fest.[2] He dropped out of college to be involved in the Festival production with Wein.

The first Festival took place at the Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park. Davis also became a manager of Professor Longhair[2] and road manager for Duke Ellington, McCoy Tyner and B.B. King.[1][3]

In 1989, Professor Longhair's album Houseparty New Orleans Style which was produced by Davis won the Best Traditional Blues Recording category of the Grammy Awards.[1][4]

In 1993, Davis produced America’s Reunion on the Mall, a festival organized as a part of President Bill Clinton's inaugural events.[5]

Today, Davis still plays the leading role in producing the Jazz Fest. He also acts as the spokesperson of the event and emcees at the Festival.[2][6] Davis has said of his philosophy behind selecting the Jazz Fest lineup, "Our bottom line is...musicianship. Whatever you do, you have to be great."[7]

Apart from the Jazz Fest, Davis is also engaged in the production of Essence Music Festival, another big music event in New Orleans.[5]

References
  1. OffBeat: BackTalk with Quint Davis by David H. Jones
  2. Nola.com: Jazz Fest's Quint Davis stands at the crossroads of art and commerce by Keith Spera
  3. Waddell, Ray (April 8, 2016). "Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis on Surviving Katrina, the 'Economics of Creativity' and Making an Eclectic Lineup Work". Billboard. London. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  4. Grammy Award Winners Archived May 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Festival Productions, Inc. - New Orleans: Quint Davis
  6. Spera, Keith (April 25, 2014). "2014 New Orleans Jazz Fest caps off a profitable decade, born of upheaval". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  7. Brastead, Chelsea (January 25, 2016). "Jazz Fest's producer/director Quint Davis talks 2016 lineup, festival history". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
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