Davina & The Vagabonds Love STL, and We Love 'Em Right Back

Some wailing Vagabonds at Blues City Deli, Thursday 23 February 2012

If you haven't caught onto the Twin Cities sensation known as Davina and the Vagabonds, I don't know where you've been. Especially if you are a midwesterner. And extra-especially if you are a St. Louisan. This tight-knit group with a killer bumpin' sound is in St. Louis two to three weekends out of the year playing for dancers, jazz and blues enthusiasts, and unexpecting dinner-goers. They boast a rich palette that ranges from R&B to traditional jazz to New Orleans second line. Beautifully arranged original tunes composed by Davina and classic swing and jump blues renditions are rehearsed without being staged. Each member's spontaneous personality makes anything possible as they engage the audience as an essential part of their work. And they love the response they get in St. Louis. See for yourself.

They kicked off their St. Louis trip on Thursday night with a Blues City Deli show. Things they dig about this joint: the party atmosphere, electrifying energy, Vinnie's hospitality, the premium brews, and the sandwiches.  In standard fashion, they blew the hair off everyone's head with spunk and an insurpassable exchange of musical prowess. Here's an example:




Friday afternoon KDXH-FM 88.1, St. Louis's independent radio and media source, featured the group in a live studio performance of "Lipstick and Chrome," "Start Runnin'," and "St. Michael vs. The Devil," three DATV originals in a way that exemplifies their energetic and spontaneous onstage shows (enjoy the comical interplay between Davina and trumpeter Dan Eikmeier on "St. Michael"). You can hear these recordings On the KDHX Website.

Friday night they played a show at BB's Jazz Blues and Soups on the Near South Side, an engagement that has become expected each time they visit. Right before the show they announced that the performance will be available on DVD in the future. The Washington University Swing Dance Club hired them for a Saturday evening show on the Wash U campus where DATV again demonstrated their wide and versatile appeal and for audiences of all kinds. Be sure to catch them as they return to St. Louis' Blues City Deli on Saturday, 14 April!

DATV at BB's, 24 February. Photo Credit: Nate Burrell, beforetheblink.com

Davina and the Vagabonds consist of Davina Sowers, pipes and keys; Michael Carvale, bass, vocals; Connor McRae, drums, vocals; Ben Link, trombone; and Dan Eikmeier, trumpet, vocals. Find more information on their website: http://davinaandthevagabonds.com/