Thankyou for this presentation of the life and times of the great Jesse Ed Davis. His natural abilities to play in such a unique style were obviously picked up by Taj in the late 60's, and the incredible four-piece band that was Taj Mahal came to London and played their part in the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus, which is definately worth checking out, if you can stomach the already oversized egos of the hosts, who seem to have controlled which of the LIVE recordings of the guest stars were deemed the right ones to include on the final cut! Thank goodness for the archive footage that remains of what Jesse Ed, and Taj and the band played on the Circus (LIVE) which was simply amazing..far too brilliant to put the Glimmer Twins in the shade. This was raw rhythm & blues, 4 piece electric. Also in the Circus was a fledgling Jethro Tull....FANTASTIC! Thankyou again for the story of JED.
Douglas K Miller thank you for feeding all our souls with all the great history that you've learned much things I never knew even though I have been listening to Jesse for long long time, Douglas K Miller you are highly articulate highly intelligent historian right now we need you like we need Jesse this is as close as we've ever gotten to any written spoken truth of the genius of Jessie May the sun always shine gently on your face and the wind push you forward
Fantastic presentation with plenty of new information about the legendary Jesse Ed Davis. Great work Chris and thank you for coming on Native America Calling to share more JED stories and insights!
Mr. Miller has done a phenomenal job of fleshing out who this man, who has always been sort of mysterious to me, really was. Yes...the end was tragic. But that doesn't define who he was. Who he was is found in his playing. Those he worked with absolutely loved him...Gene Clark, Taj Mahal, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Jackson Brown, Eric Clapton, et al. Just as another tragic figure, Jim Gordon, was the go to drummer during the same era, Jesse Ed Davis was the first call many of the biggest stars in the world made when they needed a guitarist. Well done, Mr. Miller!
My mama's cousin. We are descended from the last recognized Kiowa Chief, Chief Ahpeatone. He was my dad's hero. My dad was the best blues harmonica player ever IMO. He got to play with Redbone out in L.A. which made me so happy for him. When I see Jesse he actually reminds me of my mom. They have such similar bone structure and facial features. My mom has a signed picture from Taj Mahal to her when they met. Thank you doe this video❤❤❤
Thanks so much, can't say enough Douglas Miller you're a fine historian so very generous of your heart to share so much the past the present and the future all happened simultaneously Jesse is still much alive more than we are you'll see that when you leave this carcass
Anybody that knows Jesse or has heard that haunting licks on the guitar knows what a genius in a spirit Weaver and still is Jesse spirit is eternal like the universe Douglas K Miller thank you so kindly for putting together such an incredible piece of History of this musical genius often overlooked
I was the bass player in John Ware's band where Eddie played guitar. Eddie's dad painted the indian murals in the OKC state capotal, which my grandad bilt. My dad and Eddies dad were there working together in the 30s
I sent this to Jesse Ed’s fan club in Kiowa-Comanche land and to music fan clubs all over the world. I worked with his Ten Bears, Quanah and Kiowa relatives 25 years ago on our treaty and Pow wow in Fredericksburg, Texas. Rock on and dance on, Jesse Ed Davis.
I stopped by and talked to him last Saturday. Asked him for his blessing for my gig in Tulsa at River Spirit Casino. And put flowers on his mom's headstone.
I was a teenager in the 90s and I purchased the family circus DVD for my father. I was spellbound by Jesse Ed Davis. At the time I could not tell if it was a man or a woman, because of the lack of facial hair.I I would watch the Taj mahal performance over and over again, always focused on Jesse Ed. Something about the way he played guitar, I thought it was sloppy and I showed my guitar player at the time. My guitar player was blown away by the performance and said this is as good as it gets! And I was like really?!!! Been fascinated with him ever since..
This comes a few years after your presentation but it doesn’t take away from the well told story of a fine musician and his times. Thank you for turning me on to some Jesse Davis’s story. Good luck with the final book.
He was one if my favorites, first with Taj Mahal but I was also amazed at that incredible solo on Dr. My Eyes by Jackson Browne…He is on Lennons , Whatever Gets You Through The Night..incredible guitar playing. An immortal musician…great doc here.
I’m honored to be among, abuncha jesse ed, fans.. after so long, as I did integrate his 1st album, as if , it was verified and in line, for our next 💫enlightenment..Inter-connected thru this story, reading Leon, and Levon, as musical text, with important in-form-ation. I recorded an album in(goat’s head)Dynamic sound studios, I played guitar+sang in a reggae group, fr . Massachusetts, and played stage-shows , opening, for Taj, near his alma school U-Mass, ‘78-‘84.🇲🇱 Lastly, we musicians, come to have our experience touching music, so that we know what we’ve done. We are motivated to show the world, that we don’t exist for any single, cause ,reason or paradigm. Bob M. did green light, my 1st album, in 🇯🇲JA, because we gave him herb in Amerika, +we were bluesy, +recorded a song of his, that he liked. 💜Jesse taught me that truth..🙉
Great to see you are doing this. I met Jesse Ed (and Patti) in Honolulu in 1978/79, I was 18 years old. He used to sit in with my band at club gigs, he took us into the recording studio to record our first demos, etc. We hung out quite a bit - what an astounding player and human being. Mahalo and best wishes from Hawaii!
Wonderful story, thank you for sharing it. Since Douglas K. Miller who made this video is writing a book about Jesse Ed Davis, perhaps he will contact you to include your story - or maybe you might want to contact him? I'd certainly like to know more about your experience with that incredible human being - Jesse Ed Davis!
@@princeali1786 , I disagree. My friend's band was playing in Honolulu at that same time, and Jesse Ed befriended them and produced some recordings for them, too. He has pictures of Jesse playing with them, and lots of good stories. Jesse did spend some time living in Honolulu. Another friend of mine bought a guitar from him, which he no longer has, unfortunately.
@@thefraish2660 oh sure, I used to see The Piranha Brothers around. They used to play Pucks Pub, and a few other joints. Actually, we tried out a few names for the band - the one we got the most gigs with was The David Flowers Band (David was lead vocalist)
I ended up here from watching Los Lobos's appearances on Letterman, then catching up on Los Lobos more recent history which included a cover of Jackson Browne's 'Jamaica Say You Will' which led me to listening to 'Dr My Eyes' (still not tired of listening to that after 50(?) years) and realizing I never knew who did the amazing guitar work on that song. It was of course... Jesse Ed Davis, a man I was not unfamiliar with, having first seen him at the Concert for Bangladesh w/ George Harrison etc. Why yes, yes I am a bit ADD ;) I'm sure I'll enjoy learning a bit more about Jesse Ed Davis and I appreciate the opportunity.
That was beautiful man, I sincerely appreciate your work, and will look for the book. He was/is one of my greatest influences in music, and to a lesser degree - life. My life could have ended as his did - many times. At 67 I'm still kicking in 2023, but I know the end is coming soon, don't see this world lasting more than 5-6 years more, and by then my old dog (10 now) and me will be tired old boys by then!! God bless Jesse Ed Davis for all the great music he gifted the world, I agree that life doesn't end when we die, it begins in a different world.
Thank you very much Douglas Miller for a job very well done about Jesse Ed Davis - i caught him back in the late 60s with Taj Mahal at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit - i had Taj's 1st 3 albums & wore the crap out of them - "Leaving Trunk" was the 1st tune that kicked me in the butt - Giant Step was my favorite album especially "Bacon fat" - i loved Jesse's guitar playing & he influenced me greatly - Of course i had Jesse's albums - i wore the crap our of them as well - i followed up on him as much as i could & was saddened to hear of his passing - Jesse's life & his musik will always be remembered & honored i'm sure - Cause i know there's a bunch of people just like me who loved Jesse - Rest easy with the Lord Red dirt boogie brother
i am native raised outside any contact with tribe........i just discovered JED two weeks ago and was walking around with all kinds of questions about his life. Rumble helped (thank you filmmakers) however your documentary really helped fill in the picture of this artist. It turns out his was the guitar music that moved my feet throughout my teens and still. I am so glad i have learned that i've listened to his guitar riffs most of my life with great appreciation. Thank you doesn't begin to cover my gratitude for your excellent voice and well researched video. Happy trails!!
I've heard so much about Jesse Ed + decided to find of a little more about him. It sounds like he did so much musically, lyrically, + more. I have to ask myself though if he was blessed with the gift of music or if anything he picked up he would have been great at. When you look at the numbers of really great masters of the guitar one would expect that there'd be a lot more. So very sad at how young he was when he left us + the tragic way. Thank -You for your wonderful tribute + letting me know him a bit more!
Juliette, he was multitalented. Pretty good athlete in high school and he acted in school theater productions. He was very intelligent, and could have become an English teacher, his initial goal when enrolling at OU, if he didn't instead devote most all of his time to music. Finally, he was talented at drawing and painting, like his father. I acknowledge Jesse's wider range of talents in my book that will be published this November.
Most people don't realize just how intense and long-suffering must be a serious musician's devotion to music. For good or evil, that devotion consumes his or her life totally, as much as any drug and it's actually a bittersweet love story with as much pain as it is joy, probably more at certain times.
Thanks for sharing his amazing journey ! Also I believe addictions are not necessarily genetic but most likely tied to life’s Trauma’s of which Native Americans have had more than their fair share . 😢😊
I first heard Jesse on John Lennon's album Wall and Bridges in 1974 when i was 14 , his guitar lured me into playing and inspired me , i could feel his power then. I'm still finding music he did in his short yet full life . thankyou Jesse Ed Davis , shine on !! This is a brilliant testimony to the life and work of the man , well done Douglas K Miller . i wish you success .. be lucky :-)
As someone who loves rock 60's 70's + 80's I Know Jesse's work but I am recently. Rediscovering the beautiful man behind that sound. Bravo Mr Miller....This is Amazing . Very well done & I'm excited for. Learning and watching more !!!
Thank you for this insightful video into the interesting life Jessie Ed Davis I am 69 years old and followed all the careers and music of all my heroes and yes Jesse was right there in the middle of it he is on many of the hit records that we listened to everyday
Well done, Mr. Miller! An outstanding presentation about the man and how you wove together Jesse's family/ancestral past with his impressive rock and roll musical legacy weaving it all together into a joyful and poignant tapestry about his life.
Saw Mr. Davis in the Fall of 1967 at Fillmore West. Left leg carrying the beat with his heel tapping the floor. Not sure that it was with Taj Mahal but his stature , the tone of his sound and resolute delivery just dropped my jaw. Didn't figure out who this cat was for a few years (way PRE-Google), and, to see him at the Concert for Bangladesh alongside Geo Harrison on film later told me that the others recognized his simple GREATness. Mom taught me 3 chords, she came from Peoria OK and Dad ran a bar when I was in the oven . Rendezvous Bend at Concord, CA, that upon occasion featured Ernest Tubb, Bob Wills, and loads of Oakland / Bay Area Country players in 1948. That beat, that warmth that sound made me feel right at home. How nice you could share so much of this great player. Thanks
I’m someone who was totally taken by six days on the Road featuring Jesse had on blazing piano and the best telecaster sound ever produced. Thank you Dr. Miller for putting his life in a broader context of Heritage and personality.
Thank You Doug. Jesse is a guitar hero of mine. Like lots of guitarists, my first encounter with his playing was “Doctor My Eyes”. Of course, I had to cop his parts to play it out with my band(s). I have to say, compared to other attempts I’ve heard, I got pretty damn close, but never to a “t”. Jesse OWNED his unique playing style, so his nuances, which sounded simple but were deceiving complex, were nearly impossible to recreate exactly.
I too was mesmerized by the guitar on “Doctor My Eyes”. Not even aware at the time of the role studio musicians played, I assumed it was Jackson Brown playing the guitar bits. Subsequent Jackson Brown albums proved to be a disappointment for this guitar junkie looking for another fix. It was years later that I discovered that Jesse Ed was the guitar player I was seeking. I’ve seen Jackson Brown perform live several times since then, and each I am disappointed by guitar player playing Jessie’s part. No one even comes close to the sound of Indian Ed.
If you haven't seen it yet, you must see the music movie 'Rumble' about contributions of American Indians' music to the music we hear today, esp noting Jimi Hendrix and Jesse Edwin Davis. I think it is the best movie about music made so far in this century!! 'The Legends Are Legion'
Jesse Ed Davis is the reson Duane Allman picked up the slide..Listen to JED version of Statesboro Blues then Allman Brothers version...Brilliant player...Plus the concert for Bangladesh was just incredible..RIP JED🍄
He's the reason Duane Allman learned how to play slide guitar his playing in Taj Mahals Statesboro blues is the song that inspired Duane to learn how to play slide
The best thing to happen to slide guitar since Duane is Derek Trucks. I really feel that Derek and Susan et al are bringing people back to what this shit started with.
That's so cool man. I first found out about him from a documentary about John trudell because he played along with some of John's poetry. But then I found out that is playing on Taj Mahal's Statesboro Blues is what inspired Duane Allman to start playing in the slide style and after hearing it I can certainly tell why. Such a beautiful tone and style. I'm sure he he was a lovely person as well.
Hello, I am reading your book on Jesse NOW- very informative about his family- family roots - upbringing etc. So far, I am very pleased with the book. When I finish, I will give my thoughts . I blame Rod Stewart for getting Jesse HOOKED on Heroin. I wonder if it’s discussed in your book, guess we will find out. I watched only the first 10 minutes of this video so not to ruin the book with similar stories. Again, so far so good and I appreciate you for writing about a great Man.
Ok. I just finished reading your book and I will say it was very informative and really showed the BEST of JED and the WORST of JED. Being an American Pakistani/Native American growing up in the 1980’s I also went through the harassment and abuse for Being different. I feel what Jesse went through in that regards. Reading along I felt I knew a little about Jesse and I truly believe he felt that being Native stopped him from making it bigger in the Industry . I feel Jesse wanting to be a SUPERSTAR like many of his friends and those he played with. It hurts to always try but to know that your red skin kept you from being the star that he desired to be and knew he could be. To be loved by the People to be respected by his peer’s is what we all strive to achieve in our life time, but with his talents he should have had more. His voice may Not have been the Best Buy I tell you it wasn’t even near the worst. He had a good voice just listen to My Captain which he dedicated to Taj, I felt his passion and it sounded wonderful. Well, the book is worth getting and I would suggest everyone to read it and get to know this awesome man. I do wish his death investigation would be reopened because it does sound a bit shady. His watch and shoes were stolen from him? Did he shoot up and the load hit him to hard or was it bad stuff ? It said he went to approx 3 pawn shops with a couple of guys in tow Did they kill him and plug the needle into his arm to make it seem as an overdose ? Or did he really OD and some horrible person going into the laundry room knew he was dead or thought he was passed out and instead of getting him help the low life seen an opportunity to steal his watch and boots ? Or did he pawn his watch and boots ? It’s hard to believe he went to 3 different pawn shops and never pawning his own watch ? This case needs to be reopened and investigated properly. Even though all involved could be dead already it’s the truth that I want for JED. Great book and I hope more comes out about JED and may he RIP.
Well done. I recently learned of JED. Amazing story, sad and tragic end to a talented individual. Thanks for more of his story. He had an amazing smile, was a fine musician and had a full life, no doubt.
I Spy a George Harrison poster from All Things Must Pass above Douglas's left shoulder. Jesse didn't play on that but he did perform at George's later Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Gardens. Connections !
I came across the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee this summer and familiar with Jesse prior to seeing his bio there. You brought together a good background on our Red Brother. He was uniquely talented in a very challenging time and I am so very sorry he couldn't see his way through it. Jesse's Spirit, as well as John's (Trudell) are inspirational still and remembered with Respect and Love.
Great beaitiful document . Absolutely stunning piece of work , well documented and straight to the point in the eyes of his collaborators. He was one in a million. A true legend. The image around the 40' mark is priceless with the black little dude watching Ed with his arms crossed like saying " what the hell are you doing playing the blues?"
You got a fine thing there, MOTETY! You have to fall in love with that, and so i did, with Him & Taj! Spoke that guitar boy, spoke that guitar! Keep your chrome heart shining in the sun, Buffalo Soldier!!! Regards Jens DENMARK! Excuse my Kioa! :0)
Hello Ben: We're looking at sometime during the second half of 2024 for publication of my book. That feels both far away, and like it might as well be tomorrow! I'm glad you're excited. The project has come a long way since this early preview. The complete story is extraordinary.
not enough volume for your title song and other songs. Notwithstanding that, how do you get those files/pics/vids onto the viewer's computer screen? Saw Jesse Edwin Davis one night at Ungano's a little club in NYC on the west side, gone now. He was playing with Taj Mahal with the original band and Jimi Hendrix was elegantly eating dinner at a table on a small dais with a few other folk wearing his signature bandana (laced w LSD that night, as he was rumored to do), and my favorite musician of all-time, for me, walked in with his big drummer Frosty. Lee Michaels was with him. They had just played at the Fillmore East and come on ova to check out Taj et al. I walked up to Lee trying to instigate a cosmic jam between him and Frosty, Jimi, Taj and band and especially Jesse Edwin Davis. WOW!!!! this could the finest wildest all-time music I may ever see!!!! I was thinking. Potential!! Lee played keyboards and sometimes guitar and had an unbelievable voice with massive range. I'm looking into Lee's eyes from a foot or two away and FRosty is looking at me with grumpy disapproval. I asked Lee if he ever played with Taj Mahal, hoping he'd jump at what was a suggestion I was offering up. Lee answered me. He said "No, have you?" Yeah, he was a bit loaded that night. But wouldn't that have been something? Ungano's was a fleeting spark of a venue where I also saw Jack Bruce live, playing some of the hottest juiciest rockin' bass riffs I ever heard to John McLaughlin on guitar who could not keep up and usually with each riff waited for himself to catch into the riff, but mostly he couldn't -- anyway -- nice info here. Didn't know the Rod Stewart Tonight's the Night guitar. Did you publish this yet? How much American Indian do you have in you? Watch for anothe post I placed on a Bobby Whitlock's interview segment. Bill Graham DAvis -- are you saying this was later/soon the Bill Graham of the two Fillmores East and West?
I AM THE PREPPY-LOOKING GUY IN THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF THE CONTINENTALS PICTURE - CHRIS FREDERICKSON from OKC. Eddie was our soul man and music leader from '57 to '63. Our drummer was Johnny Ware, who played for Emmy Lou Harris for 15 years. Our bass man was John Selk, who played bass for Donovan for 15 years. Eddie called me in the mid 60s and invited me to quit Harvard and come play keyboards/bass for the group he was forming out in Cali. I said "no" and sold all of my instruments the next day. The music died. Still miss him.
I'm glad you liked the presentation. I've come a long way with the book project since this early preview. By the time JED was born in 1944, compulsory attendance by Native American children at off-reservation boarding schools had been phased out. This was partly in response to the 1928 Meriam Report, which drew attention to the abject conditions of the boarding school system, and 1930s New Deal Commissioner of Indian Affairs John Collier's condemnation of boarding schools as venues for forced assimilation. Jesse's parents attended boarding schools and public schools, but Jesse only attended public schools in Oklahoma City, and then the University of Oklahoma.
Great guitar player, let the music do the talking. Seems like every PBS/NPR story. Race this race that. Is it even a thing to anyone not obsessed with categories or little boxes to put people in? Listen to the music, that is where the man tells his own story.
Agree with you. Jesse Ed Davis was so understated- he just knew how to fit the song without stepping on it. In the clips that I've seen of him, he goes straight into the amp, no pedals. His solo on Dr, My Eyes is one of the most beautiful that I've ever heard. Just perfect.
Thankyou for this presentation of the life and times of the great Jesse Ed Davis. His natural abilities to play in such a unique style were obviously picked up by Taj in the late 60's, and the incredible four-piece band that was Taj Mahal came to London and played their part in the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus, which is definately worth checking out, if you can stomach the already oversized egos of the hosts, who seem to have controlled which of the LIVE recordings of the guest stars were deemed the right ones to include on the final cut! Thank goodness for the archive footage that remains of what Jesse Ed, and Taj and the band played on the Circus (LIVE) which was simply amazing..far too brilliant to put the Glimmer Twins in the shade. This was raw rhythm & blues, 4 piece electric. Also in the Circus was a fledgling Jethro Tull....FANTASTIC!
Thankyou again for the story of JED.
Douglas K Miller thank you for feeding all our souls with all the great history that you've learned much things I never knew even though I have been listening to Jesse for long long time, Douglas K Miller you are highly articulate highly intelligent historian right now we need you like we need Jesse this is as close as we've ever gotten to any written spoken truth of the genius of Jessie May the sun always shine gently on your face and the wind push you forward
Fantastic presentation with plenty of new information about the legendary Jesse Ed Davis. Great work Chris and thank you for coming on Native America Calling to share more JED stories and insights!
Mr. Miller has done a phenomenal job of fleshing out who this man, who has always been sort of mysterious to me, really was. Yes...the end was tragic. But that doesn't define who he was. Who he was is found in his playing. Those he worked with absolutely loved him...Gene Clark, Taj Mahal, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Jackson Brown, Eric Clapton, et al. Just as another tragic figure, Jim Gordon, was the go to drummer during the same era, Jesse Ed Davis was the first call many of the biggest stars in the world made when they needed a guitarist. Well done, Mr. Miller!
thank you so very much.
My mama's cousin. We are descended from the last recognized Kiowa Chief, Chief Ahpeatone.
He was my dad's hero. My dad was the best blues harmonica player ever IMO. He got to play with Redbone out in L.A. which made me so happy for him.
When I see Jesse he actually reminds me of my mom. They have such similar bone structure and facial features. My mom has a signed picture from Taj Mahal to her when they met.
Thank you doe this video❤❤❤
Thanks so much, can't say enough Douglas Miller you're a fine historian so very generous of your heart to share so much the past the present and the future all happened simultaneously Jesse is still much alive more than we are you'll see that when you leave this carcass
Anybody that knows Jesse or has heard that haunting licks on the guitar knows what a genius in a spirit Weaver and still is Jesse spirit is eternal like the universe Douglas K Miller thank you so kindly for putting together such an incredible piece of History of this musical genius often overlooked
I was the bass player in John Ware's band where Eddie played guitar. Eddie's dad painted the indian murals in the OKC state capotal, which my grandad bilt. My dad and Eddies dad were there working together in the 30s
Loved the book. Great job!
I sent this to Jesse Ed’s fan club in Kiowa-Comanche land and to music fan clubs all over the world. I worked with his Ten Bears, Quanah and Kiowa relatives 25 years ago on our treaty and Pow wow in Fredericksburg, Texas. Rock on and dance on, Jesse Ed Davis.
I stopped by and talked to him last Saturday. Asked him for his blessing for my gig in Tulsa at River Spirit Casino. And put flowers on his mom's headstone.
very nice piece, enjoyed all the way over the ocean in the UK.... thank you for your contribution to my musical education.
I was a teenager in the 90s and I purchased the family circus DVD for my father. I was spellbound by Jesse Ed Davis. At the time I could not tell if it was a man or a woman, because of the lack of facial hair.I I would watch the Taj mahal performance over and over again, always focused on Jesse Ed. Something about the way he played guitar, I thought it was sloppy and I showed my guitar player at the time. My guitar player was blown away by the performance and said this is as good as it gets! And I was like really?!!! Been fascinated with him ever since..
A great tribute to the great Jesse Ed Davis! 🤙🏽
This comes a few years after your presentation but it doesn’t take away from the well told story of a fine musician and his times. Thank you for turning me on to some Jesse Davis’s story. Good luck with the final book.
Thank you! The book comes out November 12.
Duane Allman brought me here. Thanks for this great work.
From OK & love Jesse
He was one if my favorites, first with Taj Mahal but I was also amazed at that incredible solo on Dr. My Eyes by Jackson Browne…He is on Lennons , Whatever Gets You Through The Night..incredible guitar playing. An immortal musician…great doc here.
Good luck on the success of your book and bringing light to the heroes of rock and roll...great session players who know how to put on a show
I’m honored to be among, abuncha jesse ed, fans.. after so long, as I did integrate his 1st album, as if , it was verified and in line, for our next 💫enlightenment..Inter-connected thru this story, reading Leon, and Levon, as musical text, with important in-form-ation. I recorded an album in(goat’s head)Dynamic sound studios, I played guitar+sang in a reggae group, fr . Massachusetts, and played stage-shows , opening, for Taj, near his alma school U-Mass, ‘78-‘84.🇲🇱
Lastly, we musicians, come to have our experience touching music, so that we know what we’ve done. We are motivated to show the world, that we don’t exist for any single, cause ,reason or paradigm. Bob M. did green light, my 1st album, in 🇯🇲JA, because we gave him herb in Amerika, +we were bluesy, +recorded a song of his, that he liked. 💜Jesse taught me that truth..🙉
Great to see you are doing this. I met Jesse Ed (and Patti) in Honolulu in 1978/79, I was 18 years old. He used to sit in with my band at club gigs, he took us into the recording studio to record our first demos, etc. We hung out quite a bit - what an astounding player and human being. Mahalo and best wishes from Hawaii!
Wonderful story, thank you for sharing it. Since Douglas K. Miller who made this video is writing a book about Jesse Ed Davis, perhaps he will contact you to include your story - or maybe you might want to contact him? I'd certainly like to know more about your experience with that incredible human being - Jesse Ed Davis!
@@princeali1786 , I disagree. My friend's band was playing in Honolulu at that same time, and Jesse Ed befriended them and produced some recordings for them, too. He has pictures of Jesse playing with them, and lots of good stories. Jesse did spend some time living in Honolulu. Another friend of mine bought a guitar from him, which he no longer has, unfortunately.
Cool! My friends in The Piranha Brothers got some recordings produced by Jesse in Honolulu. What band were you in back then?
@@thefraish2660 oh sure, I used to see The Piranha Brothers around. They used to play Pucks Pub, and a few other joints. Actually, we tried out a few names for the band - the one we got the most gigs with was The David Flowers Band (David was lead vocalist)
@@7thOrderofficial I recall seeing you guys (The David Flowers Band) w/ JED at The Rock & Roll Cellar in Waikiki in 79 - great band!
Thank you so much ! A great among the greats ! RIP Jesse Edwin Davis !
I ended up here from watching Los Lobos's appearances on Letterman, then catching up on Los Lobos more recent history which included a cover of Jackson Browne's 'Jamaica Say You Will' which led me to listening to 'Dr My Eyes' (still not tired of listening to that after 50(?) years) and realizing I never knew who did the amazing guitar work on that song. It was of course... Jesse Ed Davis, a man I was not unfamiliar with, having first seen him at the Concert for Bangladesh w/ George Harrison etc. Why yes, yes I am a bit ADD ;) I'm sure I'll enjoy learning a bit more about Jesse Ed Davis and I appreciate the opportunity.
That was beautiful man, I sincerely appreciate your work, and will look for the book. He was/is one of my greatest influences in music, and to a lesser degree - life. My life could have ended as his did - many times. At 67 I'm still kicking in 2023, but I know the end is coming soon, don't see this world lasting more than 5-6 years more, and by then my old dog (10 now) and me will be tired old boys by then!! God bless Jesse Ed Davis for all the great music he gifted the world, I agree that life doesn't end when we die, it begins in a different world.
Thank yu so much for covering....Brother Jesse Ed Davis!! Wopila tanka....hau mitakuyas oyasin!!!
Thank you for putting this together. Jesse Ed Davis is a great treasure and a tragedy, and deserves every acknowledgement and celebration.
Jesse Ed Davis was a giant. His style is so easily recognizable from even one note.
He put his soul into every note!
Thank you very much Douglas Miller for a job very well done about Jesse Ed Davis - i caught him back in the late 60s with Taj Mahal at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit - i had Taj's 1st 3 albums & wore the crap out of them - "Leaving Trunk" was the 1st tune that kicked me in the butt - Giant Step was my favorite album especially "Bacon fat" - i loved Jesse's guitar playing & he influenced me greatly - Of course i had Jesse's albums - i wore the crap our of them as well - i followed up on him as much as i could & was saddened to hear of his passing - Jesse's life & his musik will always be remembered & honored i'm sure - Cause i know there's a bunch of people just like me who loved Jesse - Rest easy with the Lord Red dirt boogie brother
That was awesome,Great presentation !
A fine retrospective, an in depth dive of an integral journey of an American Rock musician.
He was a babe....soo good looking first saw him on the Stones rock and roll circus so sad he oded on H. ❤
Wish id known about him earlier. But he left his brilliant guitar playing behind . Rest in piece my
friend
i am native raised outside any contact with tribe........i just discovered JED two weeks ago and was walking around with all kinds of questions about his life. Rumble helped (thank you filmmakers) however your documentary really helped fill in the picture of this artist. It turns out his was the guitar music that moved my feet throughout my teens and still. I am so glad i have learned that i've listened to his guitar riffs most of my life with great appreciation. Thank you doesn't begin to cover my gratitude for your excellent voice and well researched video. Happy trails!!
Thank you for all of the time and effort to share the story of Jesse Ed Davis .
Congratulation on an excellent presentstion!
I've heard so much about Jesse Ed + decided to find of a little more about him. It sounds like he did so much musically, lyrically, + more.
I have to ask myself though if he was blessed with the gift of music or if anything he picked up he would have been great at.
When you look at the numbers of really great masters of the guitar one would expect that there'd be a lot more.
So very sad at how young he was when he left us
+ the tragic way. Thank -You for your wonderful tribute + letting me know him a bit more!
Juliette, he was multitalented. Pretty good athlete in high school and he acted in school theater productions. He was very intelligent, and could have become an English teacher, his initial goal when enrolling at OU, if he didn't instead devote most all of his time to music. Finally, he was talented at drawing and painting, like his father. I acknowledge Jesse's wider range of talents in my book that will be published this November.
@douglasmillerhistory a true artist.
Great work, thanks for doing this!
A beautiful reminder. Thank you Douglas Miller.
Most people don't realize just how intense and long-suffering must be a serious musician's devotion to music. For good or evil, that devotion consumes his or her life totally, as much as any drug and it's actually a bittersweet love story with as much pain as it is joy, probably more at certain times.
Thanks for sharing his amazing journey ! Also I believe addictions are not necessarily genetic but most likely tied to life’s Trauma’s of which Native Americans have had more than their fair share . 😢😊
This is really great. Thanks man.
I first heard Jesse on John Lennon's album Wall and Bridges in 1974 when i was 14 , his guitar lured me into playing and inspired me , i could feel his power then. I'm still finding music he did in his short yet full life . thankyou Jesse Ed Davis , shine on !! This is a brilliant testimony to the life and work of the man , well done Douglas K Miller . i wish you success .. be lucky :-)
As someone who loves rock 60's 70's + 80's I Know Jesse's work but I am recently. Rediscovering the beautiful man behind that sound.
Bravo Mr Miller....This is Amazing . Very well done & I'm excited for. Learning and watching more !!!
Thank you for telling.
Thank you for this insightful video into the interesting life Jessie Ed Davis I am 69 years old and followed all the careers and music of all my heroes and yes Jesse was right there in the middle of it he is on many of the hit records that we listened to everyday
Well done, Mr. Miller! An outstanding presentation about the man and how you wove together Jesse's family/ancestral past with his impressive rock and roll musical legacy weaving it all together into a joyful and poignant tapestry about his life.
Saw Mr. Davis in the Fall of 1967 at Fillmore West. Left leg carrying the beat with his heel tapping the floor. Not sure that it was with Taj Mahal but his stature , the tone of his sound and resolute delivery just dropped my jaw. Didn't figure out who this cat was for a few years (way PRE-Google), and, to see him at the Concert for Bangladesh alongside Geo Harrison on film later told me that the others recognized his simple GREATness. Mom taught me 3 chords, she came from Peoria OK and Dad ran a bar when I was in the oven . Rendezvous Bend at Concord, CA, that upon occasion featured Ernest Tubb, Bob Wills, and loads of Oakland / Bay Area Country players in 1948. That beat, that warmth that sound made me feel right at home. How nice you could share so much of this great player. Thanks
Very cool . . . Jess has always been one of my favorite guitar players of all time.
Thank you for this. I can't begin to tell you just how much I look forward to one day reading your book.
I’m someone who was totally taken by six days on the Road featuring Jesse had on blazing piano and the best telecaster sound ever produced. Thank you Dr. Miller for putting his life in a broader context of Heritage and personality.
Oh my…. Thank you for this♥️
EXCELLENT!
Thank You Doug. Jesse is a guitar hero of mine. Like lots of guitarists, my first encounter with his playing was “Doctor My Eyes”. Of course, I had to cop his parts to play it out with my band(s). I have to say, compared to other attempts I’ve heard, I got pretty damn close, but never to a “t”. Jesse OWNED his unique playing style, so his nuances, which sounded simple but were deceiving complex, were nearly impossible to recreate exactly.
I too was mesmerized by the guitar on “Doctor My Eyes”. Not even aware at the time of the role studio musicians played, I assumed it was Jackson Brown playing the guitar bits. Subsequent Jackson Brown albums proved to be a disappointment for this guitar junkie looking for another fix. It was years later that I discovered that Jesse Ed was the guitar player I was seeking. I’ve seen Jackson Brown perform live several times since then, and each I am disappointed by guitar player playing Jessie’s part. No one even comes close to the sound of Indian Ed.
If you haven't seen it yet, you must see the music movie 'Rumble' about contributions of American Indians' music to the music we hear today, esp noting Jimi Hendrix and Jesse Edwin Davis. I think it is the best movie about music made so far in this century!! 'The Legends Are Legion'
Well done. Thanks.
RIP JED
All that matters is he was here for awhile .
Jesse Ed Davis is the reson Duane Allman picked up the slide..Listen to JED version of Statesboro Blues then Allman Brothers version...Brilliant player...Plus the concert for Bangladesh was just incredible..RIP JED🍄
Jesse Ed was an awesome guitarist for many people including John Lennon and Gene Clark. He was awesome
Jesse is one of the greats! Love him.
this practically unknown genius in my country ARGENTINA is revered by the musicians who knew him
Yessir, musicians who hear great guitar playing know it, so Jesse Ed has many musician fans - especially guitarists.
I've saved your video for further listening. I'm impressed by the Taj Mahal connection. Wishing you great success with the book.
Thank You Douglas K. Miller For This Outstanding Presentation !
A bio on Duane Allman brought me here! Thank you for this wonderful content! Greetings from Illinois!
great presentation, very heartening to know Jesse Ed Davis' story will be told thoroughly and honestly
Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and look forward to your book. Jesse Ed Davis' story is one that deserves to told.
Absolutely fascinating story, Dr. Miller! Thanks for sharing it!!
Brilliant work and a great presentation Dr Miller
Going to play a show now ,
heavy on the Blues
Wow, I thought Duane Allman had been resurrected when i saw this guy-- Jesse Ed was a master! Thank you SO much for this.
He's the reason Duane Allman learned how to play slide guitar his playing in Taj Mahals Statesboro blues is the song that inspired Duane to learn how to play slide
The best thing to happen to slide guitar since Duane is Derek Trucks. I really feel that Derek and Susan et al are bringing people back to what this shit started with.
My cousin Jesse also
Played the solo guitar of Jackson Browne’s Doctor my eyes. Doctor my eyes Browne’s first hit.
@@wahatoya8532 And it was the first take, which Jesse Ed Davis (your cousin?!) thought was just a warm-up sesh.
@@pharmerdavid1432
Still he was a great guitarist. You must think you’re perfect smh
That's so cool man. I first found out about him from a documentary about John trudell because he played along with some of John's poetry. But then I found out that is playing on Taj Mahal's Statesboro Blues is what inspired Duane Allman to start playing in the slide style and after hearing it I can certainly tell why. Such a beautiful tone and style. I'm sure he he was a lovely person as well.
I have a view short interviews with him in Hit Parader magazine. Always been a fan. Thank you!
Very thoughtful writing. Excellent creativity how you tied the ending up in a bow. "He always found his way back until the one time he didn't."
Hello, I am reading your book on Jesse NOW- very informative about his family- family roots - upbringing etc. So far, I am very pleased with the book. When I finish, I will give my thoughts . I blame Rod Stewart for getting Jesse HOOKED on Heroin. I wonder if it’s discussed in your book, guess we will find out. I watched only the first 10 minutes of this video so not to ruin the book with similar stories. Again, so far so good and I appreciate you for writing about a great Man.
Ok. I just finished reading your book and I will say it was very informative and really showed the BEST of JED and the WORST of JED. Being an American Pakistani/Native American growing up in the 1980’s I also went through the harassment and abuse for Being different. I feel what Jesse went through in that regards. Reading along I felt I knew a little about Jesse and I truly believe he felt that being Native stopped him from making it bigger in the
Industry . I feel Jesse wanting to be a SUPERSTAR like many of his friends and those he played with. It hurts to always try but to know that your red skin kept you from being the star that he desired to be and knew he could be. To be loved by the
People to be respected by his peer’s is what we all strive to achieve in our life time, but with his talents he should have had more. His voice may
Not have been the Best Buy I tell you it wasn’t even near the worst. He had a good voice just listen to My Captain which he dedicated to Taj, I felt his passion and it sounded wonderful.
Well, the book is worth getting and I would suggest everyone to read it and get to know this awesome man.
I do wish his death investigation would be reopened because it does sound a bit shady. His watch and shoes were stolen from him? Did he shoot up and the load hit him to hard or was it bad stuff ? It said he went to approx 3 pawn shops with a couple of guys in tow
Did they kill him and plug the needle into his arm to make it seem as an overdose ? Or did he really OD and some horrible person going into the laundry room knew he was dead or thought he was passed out and instead of getting him help the low life seen an opportunity to steal his watch and boots ? Or did he pawn his watch and boots ? It’s hard to believe he went to 3 different pawn shops and never pawning his own watch ? This case needs to be reopened and investigated properly. Even though all involved could be dead already it’s the truth that I want for JED.
Great book and I hope more comes out about JED and may he RIP.
Thank you!
Well done. I recently learned of JED. Amazing story, sad and tragic end to a talented individual. Thanks for more of his story. He had an amazing smile, was a fine musician and had a full life, no doubt.
Nice honoring of JED
I Spy a George Harrison poster from All Things Must Pass above Douglas's left shoulder. Jesse didn't play on that but he did perform at George's later Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Gardens. Connections !
I came across the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee this summer and familiar with Jesse prior to seeing his bio there. You brought together a good background on our Red Brother. He was uniquely talented in a very challenging time and I am so very sorry he couldn't see his way through it. Jesse's Spirit, as well as John's (Trudell) are inspirational still and remembered with Respect and Love.
Dude could play
Great beaitiful document . Absolutely stunning piece of work , well documented and straight to the point in the eyes of his collaborators. He was one in a million. A true legend. The image around the 40' mark is priceless with the black little dude watching Ed with his arms crossed like saying " what the hell are you doing playing the blues?"
Jesse Ed Davis's work on John Lennon's "Walls & Bridges takes it into the Pinnacle of the Heavenly Sublime Realm.
so love this
Awesome story!
Nice. Thanks.
You were chosen Mijo-------
You got a fine thing there, MOTETY! You have to fall in love with that, and so i did, with Him & Taj! Spoke that guitar boy, spoke that guitar! Keep your chrome heart shining in the sun, Buffalo Soldier!!! Regards Jens DENMARK! Excuse my Kioa! :0)
Thanks so much for this! Wow, JEDIII is a hero of mine. Can’t wait for this BOOK! 🙏🏻
I always liked lod "Indian Ed", gentlemen who never got his due.
Douglas, I'm super excited for the movie and book on Jesse Ed, any thoughts on when they may be coming out?
Hello Ben: We're looking at sometime during the second half of 2024 for publication of my book. That feels both far away, and like it might as well be tomorrow! I'm glad you're excited. The project has come a long way since this early preview. The complete story is extraordinary.
excellent ¡ bel hommage
Great guitarist.
not enough volume for your title song and other songs. Notwithstanding that, how do you get those files/pics/vids onto the viewer's computer screen? Saw Jesse Edwin Davis one night at Ungano's a little club in NYC on the west side, gone now. He was playing with Taj Mahal with the original band and Jimi Hendrix was elegantly eating dinner at a table on a small dais with a few other folk wearing his signature bandana (laced w LSD that night, as he was rumored to do), and my favorite musician of all-time, for me, walked in with his big drummer Frosty. Lee Michaels was with him. They had just played at the Fillmore East and come on ova to check out Taj et al. I walked up to Lee trying to instigate a cosmic jam between him and Frosty, Jimi, Taj and band and especially Jesse Edwin Davis. WOW!!!! this could the finest wildest all-time music I may ever see!!!! I was thinking. Potential!! Lee played keyboards and sometimes guitar and had an unbelievable voice with massive range. I'm looking into Lee's eyes from a foot or two away and FRosty is looking at me with grumpy disapproval. I asked Lee if he ever played with Taj Mahal, hoping he'd jump at what was a suggestion I was offering up. Lee answered me. He said "No, have you?"
Yeah, he was a bit loaded that night. But wouldn't that have been something? Ungano's was a fleeting spark of a venue where I also saw Jack Bruce live, playing some of the hottest juiciest rockin' bass riffs I ever heard to John McLaughlin on guitar who could not keep up and usually with each riff waited for himself to catch into the riff, but mostly he couldn't -- anyway -- nice info here. Didn't know the Rod Stewart Tonight's the Night guitar. Did you publish this yet? How much American Indian do you have in you? Watch for anothe post I placed on a Bobby Whitlock's interview segment. Bill Graham DAvis -- are you saying this was later/soon the Bill Graham of the two Fillmores East and West?
I AM THE PREPPY-LOOKING GUY IN THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER OF THE CONTINENTALS PICTURE - CHRIS FREDERICKSON from OKC. Eddie was our soul man and music leader from '57 to '63. Our drummer was Johnny Ware, who played for Emmy Lou Harris for 15 years. Our bass man was John Selk, who played bass for Donovan for 15 years. Eddie called me in the mid 60s and invited me to quit Harvard and come play keyboards/bass for the group he was forming out in Cali. I said "no" and sold all of my instruments the next day. The music died.
Still miss him.
Great docu! Nothing is said if he ever went to a Residential School. Weren't all Natives obliged to attend?
I'm glad you liked the presentation. I've come a long way with the book project since this early preview. By the time JED was born in 1944, compulsory attendance by Native American children at off-reservation boarding schools had been phased out. This was partly in response to the 1928 Meriam Report, which drew attention to the abject conditions of the boarding school system, and 1930s New Deal Commissioner of Indian Affairs John Collier's condemnation of boarding schools as venues for forced assimilation. Jesse's parents attended boarding schools and public schools, but Jesse only attended public schools in Oklahoma City, and then the University of Oklahoma.
looks great, when will the book be published?
Not until 2024. Doug is hoping to publish it September 2024 to mark the 80th anniversary of Jesse's birth. Fingers crossed!
@@lauragaron148 ok cool
This Guitar Cat's story is almost as interesting as his Guitar licks!
💞
Great guitar player, let the music do the talking. Seems like every PBS/NPR story. Race this race that. Is it even a thing to anyone not obsessed with categories or little boxes to put people in? Listen to the music, that is where the man tells his own story.
Agree with you. Jesse Ed Davis was so understated- he just knew how to fit the song without stepping on it. In the clips that I've seen of him, he goes straight into the amp, no pedals. His solo on Dr, My Eyes is one of the most beautiful that I've ever heard. Just perfect.
✌️👍😉🇺🇸
Is Mr Miller an Indian? Native?
Dude, grow some mutton chops, and you’d be a dead ringer for Duane Allman.