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Steph Davis and Friends
June 20th @ 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
UnCommon Corner, Boylston St &, Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Join marimbist Steph David and flutist DeShaun Gordon-King for an evening of classical, traditional, jazz, and dance music from around the globe.
Hailed by The Washington Post as a “crisp ” performer who brings “bright humanity and expressive depth” to contemporary music, Steph Davis has performed hundreds of concerts as a marimba soloist and chamber musician. Their repertoire spans Western classical and contemporary music, West African gyil music, and original arrangements of spirituals. Through their arrangements and commissions, they have contributed over 30 works by Black composers to the marimba’s solo and chamber repertoire. Davis is a Marimba One Premier Artist. Davis has enjoyed residencies at Avaloch Farm Music Institute, Boston Center for the Arts, and the Goethe-Institut Boston. Their work has been supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, City of Boston Arts and Culture, and Cambridge Arts Council. Davis received their Master of Music in marimba performance from the Boston Conservatory, where they studied with Nancy Zeltsman. Davis resides in Boston, MA.
Known for his deeply soulful tone and mesmerizing phrasing, DeShaun has given performances as a soloist and principal in Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States. DeShaun grew up surrounded by oral storytelling, and jazz and gospel music. He began his classical studies while at Duke University. Inspired by the worlds and traditions of his upbringing, DeShaun grew passionate about programming that blends them all together to create unique and memorable concert experiences. While in Boston he has collaborated with Castle of Our Skins, the Boston Celebrity Series, Juventas New Music Ensemble, the Longy Afghanistan Project, and Shelter Music Boston along with engaging in DEI work at the Longy School of music. DeShaun wholly believes in pushing music toward its next evolution; consequently, he is a vocal advocate for new music, especially works by composers of African and Latinx heritage and Queer composers.In addition to his love of newer music, DeShaun is currently pursuing his certification as a Therapeutic Musician because of his belief in the healing power of music. His primary teachers and mentors include Sergio Pallottelli, Kaori Fujii, Keith Underwood, and Rebecca Troxler.
