Danny B. Davis, who served as director of bands at Alabama State University and a member of the adjunct music faculty died Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. He was 79 years old.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Davis attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University where he marched under the tutelage of William P. Foster, Ph.D. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he worked in South Carolina and Georgia teaching middle and high school students.
One day, Davis received a call from Thomas E. Lyle, Ph.D., director of bands at Alabama State University to serve as an assistant band director for the Mighty Marching Hornets. He answered that call and served as the assistant band director. After receiving his graduate degree from Vandercook College in Illinois, Davis was hired as band director for Central State University in 1977.
While residing in Wilberforce, Ohio, Davis joined the Air Force Reserves where he was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. His leadership skills were rewarded as he moved from master sergeant for first sergeant. He served his country with distinction for 25 years.
In 1980, James Oliver, Ph.D., current director of the Mighty Marching Hornets, graduated with his undergraduate degree and moved to Ohio. He reunited with Davis who offered him an assistant band director position and percussion coordinator at Central State University, which was his debut working with a college band.
In 1988, Davis returned to Alabama State University as director of bands until 1994, as Oliver took over the position of head band director at Central State University. They then reconnected after this split at the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Alabama State played Central State University.
In 1994, Davis became part of the university faculty where he taught upper brass and music appreciation classes and later became a member of the adjunct faculty.
He answered a higher calling in 1998 when he was ordained as a minister by Rev. Porter Osby. He served as an associate minister of music and later as the minister of music for Beulah Baptist Church. He was later called to be a pastor at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Gordonville, Alabama.
Oliver described Davis as a wholesome, nice, gentle family man who was very energetic.
“He had a lot of energy, smiled a lot, and you could just tell he was someone you could talk to,” Oliver said. “We had a special connection. In fact, he was my best man when I got married, so we were very close.”
He continued.
“I never forgot those things that he taught and talked to me about in being a band director,” he said. “He had many famous words but the ones I remember were, ‘Stand Tall Like A Texas T.’”