Wild Bill Davis

Wild Bill Davis
Wild Bill Davis in 1954
Wild Bill Davis in 1954
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Strethen Davis
Born(1918-11-24)November 24, 1918
Glasgow, Missouri, U.S.
DiedAugust 17, 1995(1995-08-17) (aged 76)
Moorestown, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, arranger
Instrument(s)Piano, organ

Wild Bill Davis (November 24, 1918 – August 17, 1995)[1] was the stage name of American jazz pianist, organist, and arranger William Strethen Davis. He is best known for his pioneering jazz electric organ recordings and for his tenure with the Tympany Five, the backing group for Louis Jordan. Prior to the emergence of Jimmy Smith in 1956, Davis (whom Smith had reportedly first seen playing organ in the 1930s) was the pacesetter among organists.

  1. ^ Andrew Jaffe, revised by Barry Kernfeld (20 January 2002). "Davis, Wild Bill [William Strethen ]". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J114700. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.