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ENLARGEPianist and singer Davell Crawford brings his band, The Davell Crawford Movement, to tonight’s Summer of Jazz.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado - When Davell Crawford answered the phone, his voice was friendly, smooth - and firm.
"I've decided not to do any interviews at this time," he said.
He suggested looking him up on the Internet. Most of that what's written about him is pretty good, he insisted - it's almost all true, too.
And so, the "Piano Prince of New Orleans" had spoken his piece.
"I've decided not to do any interviews at this time," he said.
He suggested looking him up on the Internet. Most of that what's written about him is pretty good, he insisted - it's almost all true, too.
And so, the "Piano Prince of New Orleans" had spoken his piece.
Poking around the net, a few things stick out about Crawford. First off, he actually is jazz royalty, in a sense. His grandfather was James "Sugarboy" Crawford, a famous cat on the New Orleans jazz scene in the 1950s.
Another interesting tidbit is just how long this young musician has been doing his thing. According to a 2000 article by Brian Sands of Ambush Mag (published when Crawford was 22), Crawford had learned "Mary Had a Little Lamb," the theme to "Sesame Street" and "Here Comes the Bride" on the piano by the age of 3. By 5, he had his first taste of the spotlight. In his hometown of New Orleans, he was visiting the French Quarter with his grandmother. As always, they spotted a certain man with a piano sitting outside Café Du Monde. As usual, Crawford asked the guy if he could play but was turned down. But this one time, Crawford tackled the keys anyway. When he was done, he took a bow and a crowd of people clapped for the tiny pianist.
Maybe that's when his fun, on-stage flamboyancy took root.
Soon after, he was taking piano lessons and singing in renowned youth and adult choirs. His website describes him as a past "teenage piano terror," a fresh face in the music world. Since adolescence, he's spread his talented take on jazz, gospel and blues from Europe to South America to Africa and more. With several albums under his belt, his website hails him as the next in a long line of NOLA musical greats. Think Jelly Roll Morton or Dr. John, Satchmo or James Booker, it insists.
Those are all just words, though. For the real feeling of Crawford, there's nothing like listening to his music. Also on the site is a sampling of it, ready for download. The first tune, a cover of Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927," is a soulful, heart-wrenching thing. With a slight change of lyrics, it's obviously a critique of the government's response to Hurricane Katrina, as well. Crawford's voice is silky, heavy with emotion, and his piano playing has this antiquated, classic blues sound.
It's the kind of rich stuff that makes you want to hear more.
Another interesting tidbit is just how long this young musician has been doing his thing. According to a 2000 article by Brian Sands of Ambush Mag (published when Crawford was 22), Crawford had learned "Mary Had a Little Lamb," the theme to "Sesame Street" and "Here Comes the Bride" on the piano by the age of 3. By 5, he had his first taste of the spotlight. In his hometown of New Orleans, he was visiting the French Quarter with his grandmother. As always, they spotted a certain man with a piano sitting outside Café Du Monde. As usual, Crawford asked the guy if he could play but was turned down. But this one time, Crawford tackled the keys anyway. When he was done, he took a bow and a crowd of people clapped for the tiny pianist.
Maybe that's when his fun, on-stage flamboyancy took root.
Soon after, he was taking piano lessons and singing in renowned youth and adult choirs. His website describes him as a past "teenage piano terror," a fresh face in the music world. Since adolescence, he's spread his talented take on jazz, gospel and blues from Europe to South America to Africa and more. With several albums under his belt, his website hails him as the next in a long line of NOLA musical greats. Think Jelly Roll Morton or Dr. John, Satchmo or James Booker, it insists.
Those are all just words, though. For the real feeling of Crawford, there's nothing like listening to his music. Also on the site is a sampling of it, ready for download. The first tune, a cover of Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927," is a soulful, heart-wrenching thing. With a slight change of lyrics, it's obviously a critique of the government's response to Hurricane Katrina, as well. Crawford's voice is silky, heavy with emotion, and his piano playing has this antiquated, classic blues sound.
It's the kind of rich stuff that makes you want to hear more.
Tonight at Summer of Jazz
Who: The Davell Crawford Movement
When: 7 tonight at the Summer of Jazz Where: Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs Cost: Free More information: www.davellcrawford.com |
And that's just what tonight is for.
Contact Stina Sieg: 384-9111ssieg@postindependent.com
Post Independent Glenwood Springs CO Colorado
Contact Stina Sieg: 384-9111ssieg@postindependent.com
Post Independent Glenwood Springs CO Colorado
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