2026 Public Conference
Friday, March 27, 7:00 – Free – open to the public – faculty concert – Art Lit Lab Friday, March 28, 7:00 – Free – open to the public – all-conference concert – MY Arts
Latest News
2024 Conference Info
Welcome ! This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists, founded as a 501c3 in 1994. We also honor the passing of our founder, Richard Davis this year. Conference Schedule The workshop…
“String Theory: The Richard Davis Method”
film to Premiere at WI Film Festival For young bassists, its no secret that NEA Jazz Master Richard Davis is a superlative teacher; for thirty years, he has gathered young bassists of all ages in Madison for two days of…
Richard Davis, 1930-2023
To all beautiful bassists, friends, and supporters of the Richard Davis Foundation, It is with heavy hearts that we come together to remember and honor the life of our beloved founder, Richard Davis who passed away peacefully on September 6,…
Save The Date!
Lots of big plans in the works for the 30th Anniversary Bass Conference – Save the date for March 29 & 30, 2024. As per usual, Easter Weekend (also the tail end of MMSD & UW-Madison Spring Break!)
Lvovsky Zwei Stucke now available!
Unfortunately, not many bassists have heard of the composer and bassist Bretislav Lvovsky, or played his works. Thanks to RDYB Clinician Ben Ferris’s recent re-publication (and performances) of Lvovsky’s “Zwei Stücke” (Two Pieces) for Double Bass and Piano, and research…
BASS @ YOUR PLACE
Analog – At Home – Bass ! This year, the annual bass conference will look a bit different. How it works: young bassists age 3-18, sign up by March 22. We will mail you a special bass box to guide…
April 2020 Bass Conference Canceled
To the whole extended RDYB Family: Unfortunately the April 2020 Richard Davis Foundation Bass Conference is canceled. The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced that it will be suspending all in person teaching through April 10, at a minimum due to the COVID19 coronavirus pandemic. This…
Letter from a Parent of a Young Bassist
This says it all – Received from a parent of a young bassist April 26, 2019. (This letter was edited to remove students names.) Dear Richard Davis Bass Conference Clinicians, Organizers and Participants, We are completely humbled and honored…
2019 Student Recital FAQ
What exactly is a recital? At the Richard Davis Young Bassists’ Conference, recital is usually given solo or with piano accompaniment. Our wonderful accompanist, Beth Wilson is a highly in-demand professional pianist in the Madison area who has been…
Featured Alumni – Cooper Schlegel
A recent post quoted Victor Wooten’s mama via his website: “What does the world need with just another good musician? We have plenty. What the world needs are good people!” – I can say with confidence that Cooper Schlegel is one…
Help set Richard’s legacy in stone – Literally.
Go-Fund Me Campaign – Historical Marker on Richard Davis Lane Many will join me in saying that knowing Richard, through his teaching or otherwise, has left an impression on our lives. Help make his impact known for generations to come by…
Pre-Bass Conference Bass Concert Opportunity
On Thursday, April 18th – the eve of 26th annual Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists Conference (RDYB) – the Victor Wooten Band & the Wooten Woods Experience will be playing at the Wisconsin Union Theater – just down the block from…
2019 Featured Alumni
This year Paul Kowert will be featured as a distinguished alumni for the Richard Davis Foundation’s 26th annual bass conference. We are very pleased that he can make it back! Paul Kowert grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. Upon graduating from…
It’s no secret!
TriFold2016 the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists Inc. is a great place to… challenge yourself to learn new style of music, new ways of playing, new ways of thinking meet new friends, teachers, mentors enjoy a weekend with your family …