Bernard Davis

• Born: 1956
• Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s
• Genres: Rhythm & Blues
• Instrument: Drums

Biography

Drummer Bernard Davis has earned the nickname "Pocket," and in the case of a drummer that doesn't mean he likes to shoplift. He certainly nabbed a wide range of session work on various pop music projects in the '90s, but has roots going back further. He acquired his first drum kit in 1965, and as a high-school graduate approximately a decade later Davis was beginning to consider himself pretty good at his instrument. Through the end of the '70s he kept playing with different local groups around the Teaneck, NJ, area, also studying computer and auditing classes at the Manhattan School of Music.

During the mid-'80s he was well established working on tours, recordings, and videos with artists such as soulful organist Jimmy McGriff, soulful men Sam & Dave, and rock organist and songwriter Steve Winwood. In the following decade he worked with performers such as Najee, Daryl Hall, Melissa Morgan, Martha Washington, Angela Bofill, Chaka Kahn, and Mariah Carey. The drummer provided the rhythmic deep pocket for a reunion version of Kool & the Gang for most of 1995. While keeping up a busy studio schedule and backing up Roberta Flack and many others, Davis also drummed in 2002 with a serious funk instrumental band, the Kootz. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide