Happy Birthday, Davell Crawford!
John Dunlop
Pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger Davell Crawford was born in New Orleans on September 3, 1975, began playing piano when he was seven and first toured Europe in his early teens. Crawford brings a synthesis of styles (jazz, funk, R&B, and gospel) to his piano playing, singing and songwriting. Fats Domino, Sarah Vaughan, Patsy Cline and Liberace are among his many influences, and he believes in the art of entertainment, occasionally leaving his piano to talk and joke with his audience. Acclaimed as the “Piano Prince of New Orleans,” Crawford brings equal exuberance to both modern and classic jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, blues, gospel, soul, pop, American folk and touches of country-western.
However, Gospel is at the heart of everything that Crawford does. As a child, Crawford attended both Baptist and the Catholic churches and watched the pipe organist so attentively that when he first sat in front of the impressive instrument he already knew the function of the stops and pedals. The organ at his church was the first he ever played and throughout his life he’s continued to man the organ in both church and club settings. At just 10 years old, he took on the position of accompanist to the St. Peter Claver Catholic Church choir, and by the time he was 11, he became the youth choir director, pianist and organist to the sanctuary and men’s choruses at the St. Joseph Baptist Church. Since then Crawford has traveled the world conducting choral workshops and making appearances in gospel music. He has also hosted award winning gospel ensembles and formed The Davell Crawford Singers, who continue to perform and can be heard on his CD, My Gift To You. That being said, Crawford is also fully versed in the traditional jazz songbook of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Crawford plays and sings the music of his passion—the music of his life. He has soaked up the surrounding rhythms and harmonies of New Orleans that were his deep musical roots and nurtured his natural talent. In the inimitable New Orleans tradition, Crawford is a passionate performer who has a flair for the art of entertainment, engaging the audience with his winning personality and sense of humor. Happy Birthday, Davell!
Photo: Facebook