Spend an evening in the Westin Poinsett hotel lobby in downtown Greenville, and you’ll likely notice the soothing sounds of a jazz piano floating in from the direction of the hotel lounge.
The man at the keyboard is Keith Davis—composer, pianist, educator. Whether he’s performing solo or as part of a trio or quartet, or mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians, Davis lives his music. After all, it’s a family tradition.
Davis’s father spent his career in the Air Force, meaning the family moved around. But through it all, one constant remained: music. “Wherever we moved, my folks would find a church where they could be involved in the music, with my dad directing the music and my mom playing the piano,” Davis says. “Music was always a part of our lives.”
Davis took up piano at the age of 8 (he’s 64 now) and always sang in the church choir. He even sang with his father, a tenor, as part of a gospel trio while the family was stationed in Arizona.
He relocated to Greenville in 1997 from Charleston, and today he’s an adjunct instructor of jazz piano at Furman University. He also offers private lessons, and several of his students attend the Fine Arts Center.
Davis relishes being a teacher, guiding aspiring musicians through the ins and outs of improvisation, harmony, and composition. “I try to make music accessible to everyone,” he says. “Whether someone is pursuing it professionally or just for love of playing.”
Keith Davis Set Lists at Westin Poinsett
That same spirit of accessibility is behind all of his performances, especially his longtime gig at the Westin in downtown Greenville, where he plays three nights a week.
“It’s definitely my steady gig,” he says. “But more than that, I really enjoy it. I love playing for people, especially when they’re enjoying it. Music is an energy exchange—I share with them, and if they’re listening, they feed me with their energy of attention.”
His set lists are always changing. “I play tunes from the Great American Songbook—Cole Porter, George Gershwin—and tunes from the great jazz composers like Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk, as well as classic pop tunes,” he says. “I also play my own compositions, and I try to honor requests, if I know them, or can figure them out on the spot. I know lots of tunes!”
And the spirit is right, especially at the Poinsett. “The staff there is incredible,” Davis says. “They help create a great atmosphere, a relaxing vibe. It’s a big part of what draws people back again and again.”
Davis sometimes wonders if anyone is listening. But invariably, someone stops and thanks him. “Live music is different,” he says. “You can stream anything these days. But to sit down, relax, enjoy a nice beverage or meal, and hear music in a warm, casual setting . . . it’s a privilege to be a part of that.”
What Keeps Him Busy
- Producing a podcast, Notes on Jazz
- Compiling a book of original compositions called Tune Talk, which teaches composition and improvisation
- Recently produced a video series, Practical Piano Improvisation
- Has produced three CDs of original music
For more information, go to: keithdavismusic.com
Key Fact
At the Westin Poinsett, Davis plays a Yamaha grand piano. At home, he plays a restored 1817 Steinway B.
