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, 2023.
We invite all of you to share your memories, stories, and messages of condolence on the Memory Wall set up by Richard’s family, at: https://memorialsource.com/memorial/richard-davis. You can also find the obituary at this link. There will not be a public memorial service held.
Richard’s passion for music education and his commitment to ensuring young bassists access to the best teachers and resources were the driving forces behind the creation of our foundation. The conference, which grew from a small breakfast bunch, to a full non-profit organization 29 years strong, is a testament to his dedication to nurturing the rising generations of musicians. This conference, unique in its special and nurturing environment created by Richard’s ability to foster belonging, truth, and unity, has been a beacon of hope for countless young bassists, providing them with opportunities to learn, perform, develop multi-generational mentorships, connect with their peers from around the country, and make life-long friendships. Richard’s vision, coupled with the many efforts of clinicians, volunteers, and families who have believed in it, has created a vibrant and diverse community of bassists and music enthusiasts. Although known as a remarkable musician and educator; he was a true maestro of community building, his legacy extending far beyond the notes he played.
In 2024, we will be commemorating the 30th anniversary of “RDYB,” the Richard Davis Foundation For Young Bassists Inc. as a non-profit organization. As part of our celebration of this milestone we’d like to reconnect with the vast network Richard has built over the years. We encourage past conference attendees, private students, university students, families and friends of the foundation, as well as Richard’s fans to follow on facebook and subscribe to our email list if not already. By joining our email list, you will receive updates about upcoming events, news, and opportunities to stay engaged with the RDYB community.
For those who wish to contribute to the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists and help us continue Richard’s mission of building bridges through music, you may do so by visiting: https://www.richarddavisfoundation.org/donations/.
Best wishes to our extended bass family – take care of each other.
Sincerely,
Peter Dominguez, Artistic Director,
Catherine Harris, Executive Director,
& Ben Ferris, Conference Coordinator
Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists, Inc.