Fri 9/25 @ 8PM
Traverse City, Michigan-based singer/songwriter/activist Joshua Davis comes from the folk tradition of social activism that produced the great topical and protest songs of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Phil Ochs. But his musical range is much greater than simple folk tunes. While he does perform solo at coffeehouses in the classic manner, sharing his songs with audiences, he’s also the frontman for roots-rock ensemble Steppin’ In It and swing band Shout Sister Shout. His own music, as a result, is tinged with blues, jazz and country.
Davis has released three of solo albums, five albums with Steppin’ in It and an album of jazz standards with Shout Sister Shout. So he’s really covered the musical waterfront. His latest solo album, 2013’s A Miracle of Birds, takes on a difficult and controversial topic: lives lived among the fraught politics of Israel and Palestine. It emerged from his experiences visiting Palestine the previous year and working with a nonprofit to raise money to support fair trade farming communities in the West Bank.
“The songs are deeply personal and deal with his struggle between his Jewish identity and the oppression and confusion he found in the Middle East,” his bio says.
Davis will be performing in northeast Ohio at the Kent Stage. Tickets are $16-$25.
thekentstage.com/joshua-davis/
Kent, OH 44240