Jesse Davis ... R.I.P.

[Woodbutcher]

Just seen this post over on Facebook and thought I'd share it here ... 

 

From Ady at the 6Ts Rhythm and Soul Society.

  

"Diane Davis has posted that her husband Jesse Davis, passed away this morning after a battle with Alzheimer’s.

I met Jesse and Diane when Jesse came to sing at the 6TS Rare Soul weekender in Cleethorpes in 2009. Jesse’s Northern Soul classic ‘Gonna Hang On In There Girl’ had been a massive record since the days of Stafford all-nighters in the 80s and the chance to get the original singer on stage for our crowd was irresistible. Making the show even better were his earlier big beat ballads, some fabulous 70s recordings and a touch of jazz.

Jesse was primarily a nightclub jazz singer, based on the west coast, living in San Diego and recording primarily in Los Angeles. His arrangers included Rene Hall, Arthur Wright and James Carmichael which is a measure of the quality of his voice in itself.

His first recordings were on his own Jaboth label in 1965 and 1966 and included the atmospheric ‘There’s Room For Me’ and the captivating beat ballad ‘So Full Of Love’. Both records gained much attention from European DJs and collectors in the 90s that made them expensive and treasured items. In 1967 Herb Newman of Era records signed Jesse and cut him on the brilliant, uptempo Sherlie Matthews song ‘Gonna Hang On In There Girl’, it came out with two different B sides but failed to sell or attract interest until the Northern Soul scene eventually made it a dancefloor favourite. One of the flips, ‘Night Blooming Jasmine’, later caught on with jazz-loving mods and had a separate revival of its own. The Era follow-up ‘You Don’t Need A Crown’ was more pop than soul and failed to gain many followers.

Concentrating on his live performance work, Jesse built a big following in California, particularly Palm Springs, where a date witnessed by Frank Sinatra would lead to Frank recommending Jesse to his Las Vegas contacts. They were happy to employ him in the city’s nightclubs. Jesse went back to releasing his own discs and came up with the excellent ballad ‘They Call Me Mr Lonely’ on his new Essence label; the song was penned by Kent Harris’ sister Marcine. There were several albums on Essence throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, mainly recorded in San Diego for sales at his ever-popular gigs. UK Kent issued his self-penned ‘I Never Could Have Made It’ from his 1979 album “Hollywood Gypsies” on a Masterpieces Of Modern Soul” CD and several album tracks including ‘Hollywood Gypsies’ have been played at rare soul venues around the world.

Australia became a second home for Jesse through his stage show and he spent many months there even rcording an LP during one stint. When back in California, he often worked on television shows and films, as both a singer and actor.

He and Diane made lots of friends on their visit to the UK and we kept in touch through FaceBook and the occasional email. It was great to witness the pair out at local jazz clubs up until quite recently and though retired, Jesse would often be called on stage for a duet or to perform a jazz standard. He will be greatly missed at home and abroad.

Edited August 27, 2024 by Woodbutcher

[The Tempest]

RIP Jesse - thank you for the music

[Dobber]

I had the “so full of love” 45 on jaboth in the late 90’s,the copy I had is actually the only copy I’ve ever seen,shockingly rare,rumours of a pink label variant I’d like to see? I believe “there’s room for me” on a pink jaboth,but again I’d like to see it?

rip Jesse..a wealth of work left behind