John Birdsong Joe Davidian
Program
You Must Believe in Spring………………………………………..Michel Legrand
A Felicidade……………………………………………………Antonio-Carlos Jobim
You and the Night and the Music………………………………..Arthur Schwartz
Shiny Stockings……………………………………………………………Frank Foster
I thought About You……………………………………………..Jimmy Van-Heusen
Emily…………………………………………………………………………Johnny Mandel
Gone with the Wind………………………………………………………..Allie Wrubel
I Hear A Rhapsody………………………………………Fragos-Baker-Gasparre
Nancy (With the Laughing Face)………………………….Jimmy Van-Heusen
I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face…………………………Frederick Lowe
April in Paris…………………………………………………………………Vernon Duke
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Bios
John Birdsong has been described as one of the most “soulful” upright jazz bass players in the Nashville area. John is applauded by Donald Brown, well-respected jazz pianist (Grammy-nominee), for his ability to “lay down the groove and maintain a steady pulse.”
John’s love for music began at an early age in Pulaski, Tennessee where he was introduced to jazz by Mr. Zettie Murrell. When a guest bassist visited the music program of his elementary school, John was mesmerized by the size and tone of the instrument, but decided to study the cornet because it was easier to carry.
Although he wanted to pursue music as a major, he was encouraged by family and friends to pursue other career options. He ultimately received a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction, a Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree and a national certification in Business and Economic Development. He worked with the State of Tennessee for 37 years during which time he served as a Director within the Department of Economic Development for Tennessee and as the State Director of Title VI Compliance Commission until his retirement earlier this year.
While still working for the State of Tennessee, at the mature age of 32, John decided that it was finally time to pursue his dream of learning to play the string bass. John began studying with Earl Gately (Nashville Symphony Orchestra). Local guitarist, Chuck Schlacter encouraged him and provided him with his first gig at a local club, 325 Union. Ilyas Muhammad was also a strong supporter of John’s dream and allowed him to practice his art at his local jazz club Café Unique.
John played string bass with the Easy Jazz Quartet for several years but later decided to start his own group called the Birdsong Trio. In addition to performing at upscale events and conventions, the trio performed at the award winning Sunday Brunch each week at Mere Bulles Restaurant in downtown Nashville for 10 years until the restaurant closed in 2002. Since 1995, the trio has performed at F. Scott’s Restaurant and Jazz bar in Nashville on Fridays to packed audiences. (He also performs a piano and string bass duo at Criallo’s in Cool Springs on a weekly basis.)
Joe Davidian is Adjunct Instructor of Commercial Piano at Belmont University.
Since moving to Nashville in 2007, Joe has been performing regularly with some of Music City’s finest musicians. He has extensive experience as a performer, composer, arranger, educator, and accompanist, including appearances with jazz greats Joe Lovano, Kevin Mahogany, Wycliffe Gordon and Tito Puente, among others.
Joe earned his Bachelor and Master’s of Music degrees in Studio Music & Jazz from the University of Miami, where he served as teaching assistant in the jazz piano department from 2005-2007. He has taught in various universities, including the University of Vermont, where he directed a big band and taught Intro to Jazz History. Other courses Joe has taught include private piano, piano labs, ear training, rhythm section techniques and small ensembles.
In addition to his work at Belmont, Joe is teaching at his home studio and at the Nashville Jazz Workshop and is touring periodically with his group, the Joe Davidian Trio.
For more info visit www.josephdavidian.com.
This Performance is Free of Charge!
Refreshments will be served after the performance.
Mission Statement
THE STEINWAY SOCIETY is composed of like-minded people from all walks of life joined together to promote musical understanding and appreciation among themselves and others.
Each meeting is designed to promote thoughtful listening, discussion and eflection about music, the related arts, and history and literature as well. The Society also seeks to promote awareness of varied opportunities for musical enrichment. Neither ownership of a piano nor ability to play is necessary for membership.
Members believe music provides beauty and satisfaction far beyond mere entertainment. Music is a critical necessity to a life well lived and a vital component in the growth and development of human character.
Members of the Society seek to better understand how great music is created and how to more fully enjoy the variety of fine music that is available.
The Society provides knowledgeable and interested people unique opportunities to hear and discuss great music. Members include both music professionals and non-professionals who love music. Members of the Society believe that each can learn from the other.
The Society fosters and promotes ways to help people, children and adults alike, realize the importance of music to our being, and to make quality music of all kinds (whether classical, jazz, rock, blues, country, or music of other styles or cultures) an integral, cherished part of their lives.
It is well known that music has the power to mend schisms and soothe the troubled heart, to build bridges rather than walls, and to transcend the boundaries of human divisions. It is appropriate then that The Steinway Society should seek ways to encourage and support the universality of the musical experience, including the patronage of worthy musical endeavors
All Steinway Society Meetings are held in the
Steinway Recital Hall at:
Steinway Piano Gallery of Nashville
4285 Sidco Dr. Nashville, TN 37204
