[JPL] Arthur Eugene Davy-saxist, dead at 103 years of age.

[Arturo]

Over the decades Denver has been home either through birth or residence of
many legendary figures of jazz, Paul Quinichette-The "Vice Prez", Jimmy
Lunceford, Paul Whiteman-like his music or not(I don't)you can't deny his
role in society jazz of the 1920s and 30s, George Morrison, Louise Duncan
and many others. After very private ceremonies yesterday we learned that
Arthur Eugene Davy died on May 13th and was cremated at the age of 103 years
after a brief illness and having played his sax in public a few months
before. Born in northern Florida October 14, 1904 and raised in Newark NJ
Arthur began to play sax at age 25 while working as an elevator operator in
a Newark department store, this came about after a weekly customer would
hear him whistling and suggested he take up the saxophone or flute. Arthur
also had a rich baritone voice and became a member of the noted Five Caps
vocal harmony quartet of the 1930s, traveling acorss the country by car the
Red Caps later the 5 Red Caps had a series of engagements in Denver and
Arthur decided that one day he would return to live here. Back in NY during
the 40s Arthur played in the Cab Caloway band for a while then shared the
stage with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Carter and others as well
as ocassionaly having a singing role in a Harlem or Off Broadway stage play.
After WW2, Arthur fulfilled his desire and moved to Denver where he was a
mentor to many of today's Denver older musicians, he also played in the
house band at the famous Rossonian Hotel(the Cotton Club of Denver) for all
the great visiting artists throught the 1950s and 60s.

Throughout his residence in Denver he sang in the choir of the Shorter A M E
church that dates back over 150 years. At the age of 100 Arthur sang and
performed on stage for a local production of Old Man River, his singing of
Ol' Man River would steal the show every time. According to his friend of
nearly 60 years-the dean of Denver musicans-87 years young Charles Burrell,
uncle to Dianne Reeves and George Duke and the first African American to
garner a contract to play for a symphony orchestra, Arthur was in good
spirits until just a few weeks before he took ill and passed away. When
Mister Burrel visited him in the hospital, Arthur asked him to bring him
some real food so he could die with a smile on his face, so the next evening
Sir Charles smuggled in some soul food which Arthur quickly gobbled up and
then died the next day. Charles Burrell was selected by the family members
of Arthur Eugene Davy to read Mr. Davy's favorite poetry and play his bass
as requested by Arthur who wanted a joyous celebration of his passing.
Here's the verse by Invictus-Davy's favorite he asked Charles Burrell to
read, "Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul"

Arturo Gomez