Today we’d like to introduce you to Edward Davis.
Hi Edward , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m from San Antonio, but also an Air Force brat. We lived all around the country and also Newfoundland Canada. I graduated from Fox Tech High School and joined the U.S. Army. I was a military policeman and a k9 /military working dog handler. I was stationed at the Presidio San Francisco California, Fort Leavenworth Kansas, the Panama Canal Zone and Darmstadt Germany. After 7 1/2 years I got out the army and came back home and joined the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and later the San Antonio Police Department. I then joined the FBI serving as a Special Agent in the San Francisco, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, Kansas City and the El Paso Texas division(s). I retired after 20 years. I always loved music, especially playing the drum set. I learned to play from an army buddy while in Germany. Later I was able to study with Tony Williams (Miles Davis), Billy Higgins (most recorded Jazz drummer in history) founder of the famous “World Stage” in Los Angeles, California and also Nic Martinez a highly recorded drummer from the golden era of drumming. After retiring I came back home and started training kids and adults in self defense. A stop the bully course for kids and scenario based self defense class and a responsible shoot don’t shoot gun owners course for adults. I also started a dog obedience and a protection dog club. Recently I opened Ed Davis Jazz, eddavisjazz.com, a music school house based on the world stage, where anyone could come and learn to play musical instruments or enjoy musical performances for free. The school is presently in transition looking for a new larger home and location. I am also looking for musicians to start a band playing rock and jazz music (if interested send me an email or text. I also just finished a film called “The Drums” featuring very famous drummers who I studied with or knew to include Tony Williams, Billy Higgins, Louie Bellson, Elvin Jones, Nick Martinez and James Bennington. I am looking for a platform (like Netflix or something similar) to present it to the public. Everything I’ve mentioned here I wanted to do from my early childhood. I tried my best to stay out of trouble and do well in school, just like an old black and white tv news show clip of J Edgar Hoover who told a group of kids who wanted to grow up and be a G-Man (FBI Agent). I’ve always been very adventurous learning how to fly a plane, sky dive, scuba dive, ride motorcycles etc., I never smoked, don’t drink or used drugs. I was able to earn my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice partially while in the army and completing just after getting out of army. I had always loved dogs (and cats) especially German Shepard dogs. I currently teach military police tactical skills and emergency driving techniques.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I always felt lucky and knew I could achieve anything, if I wanted it and was willing to put the effort in. My parents always taught me to “be the best at whatever you do”. I believe the secret to success is: 90% is just showing up and figuring out the other 10% once you get there. Always treat and respect others the way you want to be treated and if you recognize a person is trouble, avoid them as best as you can, always say what you mean and mean what you say. When possible be kind, and always be fair. Always do your best you may only get one chance. In my life there were key people who helped me to get from one point to another and every now and then one or two who tried to stand in my way. I think if you can’t get in the front door, try the back door, if that doesn’t work then try a window and if that doesn’t work, then kick the whole wall down, but never give up. I tell my students look at the word “impossible”, what does it tell you, what does it say? It literally says “I’m Possible”! That’s how I look at things or when solving problems.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love the feeling of freedom, to be able to come and go as I please and do as I please as long as it doesn’t interfere or hurt anyone else. Music gives me that freedom, playing with other musicians and in the right moment, achieving a natural high from the music and fellow kinship. Mastering an instrument, know all its ins and outs and history and being able to feel and become one with the instrument and the music, there’s no better feeling. I think differently about things, our motto is “hearing light and seeing sound”. I also like to draw and paint. I’m very proud when I get a new student and train them and watch them grow and develop and become very good at what they do. That’s a great feeling. In law enforcement I was most happiest to help people solve a problem or situation and feel like someone cared to listen and help them. I think what sets me apart from others, is that I have a big and kind heart and I don’t like seeing people or animals suffer. I am also very proud of my son. He’s a really good young man.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Always respect and be fair to others. Pay it forward. Walk away from an argument if you can, 50 seconds can end up getting you 50 years. An old funny meme I like, has two men talking and one ask the other, “whats the key to happiness” and he replies, “I don’t argue with fools” and the other replies “your wrong”, then the one replies back “you’re right”. Another thing I learned is don’t argue with a fool, another fool will come along and take care of him. I’m not perfect “, I’ve made my share of mistakes, most small but some a little larger than I like. I tried to learn from my mistakes and tried not to make them again. If the mistake affected someone, I try and fix it and make things right. I tell my son God gave you 2 ears, 2 eyes and 1 mouth, there’s a reason for that, look and listen more than you speak. I also believe in using my brain, meaning not just believing everything that I’m told. I read once, a man or woman comes into this world and leaves this world with only one thing, their good name, try to keep your name and reputation in tact.
Pricing:
- Free music lessons and or entertainment
- Looking for musicians to join band or join jam sessions regularly
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eddavisjazz.com
- Instagram: eddavisjazz
- Facebook: eddavisjazz
- Youtube: eddavisjazz
- Yelp: eddavisjazz
