More than just the blues

Over the years, African-American musician Daryl Davis has mixed it up with industry-leading acts.

By BARRY DAVIS
FOR OVER 30 years, African-American jazz pianist-vocalist Daryl Davis has worked to improve race relations by seeking out and befriending members of the Ku Klux Klan. (photo credit: Courtesy)
FOR OVER 30 years, African-American jazz pianist-vocalist Daryl Davis has worked to improve race relations by seeking out and befriending members of the Ku Klux Klan.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
On Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m. the American Center in Jerusalem will host a free concert with a difference. The artist in question is Daryl Davis, a 59-year-old pianist-vocalist whose artistic wares take in the blues, jazz and boogie woogie.
Over the years, African-American musician Davis has mixed it up with the likes of rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry, Percy Sledge, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Drifters, to name but a few industry-leading acts, and will bring that pedigree to the American Center later today.
In addition to his artistic endeavor, Davis has made a name for himself in far more surprising quarters, through his work to combat racism in the United States. He has met and even befriended leading members of the Ku Klux Klan, and got some of them to give up their discriminatory ethos.
The Chicago native graduated from Howard University with a degree in jazz. Besides his musical exploits, Davis is an actor and lecturer, and published a book about his life-changing links with members of the KKK called Klan-Destine Relationships. He is also the subject of the new documentary film entitled Accidental Courtesy.
For more information about the free concert call: (02) 595-2676.