Multi-Grammy Nominated Keyboardist Chris 'Big Dog' Davis
Releases New Album, 'Focus' Featuring Maysa, Dave Koz, Kim Waters, Gerlad Albright, Rick Braun on June 26, 2020
(New Jersey) - On June 26, 2020 multi-Grammy nominated keyboardist and producer
Chris "Big Dog" Davis releases a new album on Shanachie Entertainment featuring Maysa, Dave Koz, Kim Waters, Gerald
Albright, Rick Braun, Nick Colionne, Bluey and more. His Midas touch as a producer has added finesse to endeavors by Brian
McKnight, George Clinton, Will Downing, Syleena Johnson, Chanté Moore, Maysa, and numerous others.
As he takes center stage for the first time on recording, his wizardry blesses an entire
album of inspirational and moving originals.
Chris releases "Focus"
to create music with some of his favorite people. A bodybuilder and former Marine Big Dog is a native of Waterbury, CT and
drew from diverse influences like Miles Davis, Chaka Khan and George Duke and even his own Zen rooted philosophy to living
life.
"Focus" has Davis with a cadre of the best working
artists in Contemporary Jazz including Kim Waters, Gerald Albright, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Maysa, Bluey and Nick Colionne.
"Focus" opens paying homage to the ‘Queen of Funk'
with the Doheny/Stuart Chaka Khan hit "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me." "Big Dog's" sophisticated and in the
pocket-groove on this favorite R&B jam unites him with saxophonist Gerald Albright. The duo scored a Grammy nomination
in 2015 for their collaboration Slam Dunk. The title-track is a fitting motivational anthem, as we face the challenges of
our current time. Powered by the dynamic duo of Maysa and Bluey, "Focus" is a potent reminder to focus on the things
that truly matter.
The ethereal Zen ballad, "One Day At A
Time" reminds us to be mindful as "Big Dog's" cascading piano lines take flight with Rick Braun's sailing trumpet
to perfect effect. The song takes inspiration from conversations Davis has had with his limo driver Max. The gospel-tinged
"You Are Loved," inspired by George Duke and featuring bassist Ace Livingston, brings another layer of beauty into
focus, while the jubilant "Silver Street," featuring saxophonist Marty Quadrato, transports us down a winding road
of joy. The composition "It's All Love" is named after one of the Davis' favorite sayings. He unearths a mountain
of emotion on this track that unites him with saxophonist Dave Koz as they create one of the most memorable moments on the
album. Focus also showcases the sensual "You Just Smile," featuring guitarist Tony DePaolo. "We are all so
stressed and rushing from one place to the next and this song is just a reminder that the world would truly be a better place
if we would all just take a moment and smile," shares Davis, devoted father to five daughters. A pleasant surprise on
Focus is the composition "Natural High" which takes inspiration from Miles Davis and finds "Big Dog" taking
us down a bluesy bend as he stretches out and gets loose for this soul drenched number. ‘Big Dog' kicks it up a notch
on the dance-inspired "Fall Back" while "Just When You Thought You Had Enough," featuring guitarist Nick
Colionne, serves up a sweet groove with the perfect combination of funk and soul. The album ceremoniously closes with the
show-stopping finisher "Blue Light Special" showcasing Kim Waters.
