Madison, WI Header
File #: 32877    Version: 1 Name: Honoring Richard Davis
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 1/21/2014 In control: COMMON COUNCIL
On agenda: 2/4/2014 Final action: 2/4/2014
Enactment date: 2/12/2014 Enactment #: RES-14-00084
Title: Honoring Richard Davis for his years of contributions to the cultural, artistic and civic life of Madison.
Sponsors: Marsha A. Rummel, David Ahrens, Shiva Bidar, Maurice S. Cheeks, Joseph R. Clausius, Mark Clear, Lauren Cnare, Denise DeMarb, Sue Ellingson, Steve King, Larry Palm, Matthew J. Phair, Scott J. Resnick, Chris Schmidt, Paul E. Skidmore, Paul R. Soglin, John Strasser, Lisa Subeck, Michael E. Verveer, Anita Weier, Ledell Zellers
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsWatch
2/4/20141 COMMON COUNCIL Adopt Under Suspension of Rules 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, and 2.25Pass Action details Meeting details Not available
1/21/20141 Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES 2.04, 2.05, 2.24, & 2.25 - MISC. ITEMS  Action details Meeting details Not available
Fiscal Note
No expenditure is required.
Title
Honoring Richard Davis for his years of contributions to the cultural, artistic and civic life of Madison.
Body
WHEREAS Richard Davis has been a resident of Madison since 1977 and has invigorated the cultural life of the city; and
 
WHEREAS Richard is universally recognized as one of the most important bassists of the 20th and 21st Centuries, having been named as Best Bass Player in both the Critics' and Readers' Polls of Downbeat magazine for eight consecutive years; and
 
WHEREAS after establishing himself at the top of the music worlds of his native Chicago and New York City, he moved to Madison where he has taught classes on Jazz, African-American Music, and Improvisation at the University of Wisconsin since 1977; and
 
WHEREAS Richard was a valued collaborator with jazz greats including Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy, Dizzy Gillespie, Jaki Byard, Oliver Nelson, Elvin Jones, Milt Jackson, Sarah Vaughan, and Ben Webster and was a key member of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra; and
 
WHEREAS, Richard's mastery of classical music traditions is demonstrated by his performances with Leopold Stokowski, Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Gunther Schuller, and Leonard Bernstein; and
 
WHEREAS Richard's versatility is demonstrated by his contributions to Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run, Laura Nyro's Smile, and Paul Simon's There Goes Rhymin' Simon; and
 
WHEREAS Richard was honored in 2014 as a "Jazz Master" by the National Endowment for the Arts; and
 
WHEREAS Richard established the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists and has mentored bassists who have played with Jazz, Rock, Soul, Experimental and Salsa bands that have enlivened the dance floors of Madison; and
 
WHEREAS Richard's Black Music Ensemble has been a source of enjoyment, inspiration and enlightenment to the Madison community; and
 
WHEREAS Richard is a tireless worker in the cause of cross-cultural awareness, helping connect students with the broader life of the community through his organization, The Institute for Healing of Racism.
 
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the City of Madison and the Madison Common Council express their appreciation for Richard Davis and express their gratitude for his contributions to the life of the city.