Hugh Davis is an Award-winning Music Director, State Certified Educator (Instrumental and Vocal), College Professor, Talent Coach, National Workshop Clinician, Internationally Published Composer, Former Classical Concert Pianist, Music Producer and Recording Artist. He is also a Preacher, Ordained Minister, Youth and Community Development Expert, former National Youth Coordinator for the National Black Presbyterian Caucus, an Ordained Elder (PCUSA), Motivational Speaker, and Mentor to hundreds. 

Professor Davis has degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, Composition, Theory and Jazz Studies from Jackson State University, the Royal Schools of Music (London), Trinity College of London and Jamaica School of Music. Prof. Davis was admitted to the prestigious rank of “FELLOW” of the Trinity College of London (FTCL), the highest distinction conferred by the college, for Piano Performance.  He has been a professional Music Educator for over thirty years and has taught all grade levels (from kindergarten to college) and all ages (from 5 to 85)!

Prof. Davis has an extremely versatile, “eclectic” musical background. Though much of his formal training is in classical music, Davis (a native of Jamaica), grew up playing and singing all types of music. He was somewhat of a “child prodigy” who at age 13 was already leading music groups, while winning numerous gold medals and first place trophies in national competitions.  By the age of fifteen Prof. Davis was composing, arranging and scoring music for vocal groups, marching bands, steel bands, orchestras, and major music productions.   He is proficient on several instruments, well versed in a wide variety of musical genres, and is exceptional at playing both by ear and by musical notation.

Davis is exceptionally gifted with working with young people and is nationally known for consistently achieving unprecedented (and often unbelievable) levels of excellence and record accomplishments with EVERY young artist or group he has ever worked with!  This includes singers, rappers, instrumentalists, choirs, marching bands, steel bands, orchestras, drama and step teams and more. His groups and artists have won numerous national competitions and awards, performed all over the world, and have been featured on nationally syndicated television programs, and in numerous national newspapers such as the New York Times. Prof. Davis has performed at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Gardens and several other prestigious locations.

He has often been referred to as the “Barry Gordy” of this region, having helped to launch the careers of numerous national and internationally renowned individuals including celebrities such as singer, Leahjenea (from the show, “The Four”), singer and actor Rotimi (“Meeting in my bed” and Power TV Series) and Grammy Award-winning music producer, Zaytoven!

As a writer he has composed and recorded numerous vocal and instrumental works encompassing a large variety of musical genres. His compositions and arrangements have been performed in various distinguished concert halls throughout the world, including Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Gardens. The Hal Leonard Corporation, one of America’s leading international music publishers, has published several of his songs, including the composition, “Caribbean Praise” which is also featured in the very popular textbook series, “Spotlight On Music” (Macmillan/McGraw-Hill), used in elementary schools all over the world!

Minister Davis truly has a heart for young people. He has been blessed with the ability to reach and tremendously impact the lives of young people of all cultures and social backgrounds, and in particular, those from inner-city and underserved communities. Over the years his mentoring has inspired radical transformation in the lives of numerous drug dealers, gang members and other critically at-risk young people. These young men and women are now recording artists, community leaders, city executives, pastors, church leaders, distinguished professionals and role models in their communities.

This is the testimony of many of the young people from Jackson’s now legendary “Gifts Of Grace Ministries Inc.”, a community based nonprofit organization that used music and the performing arts to empower and incredibly transform the lives of over 150 inner city high school youth. Pastor Davis was the Founder and Executive Director. The story is similar for the young people from New Jersey’s multi-award winning, nationally acclaimed youth group G-fy-G (Glorify God) Ministries, who utilized stepping, singing, rap, spoken word, dance and drama to engage, equip and empower young people.

As a result, so many young people see Minister Davis as a mentor, pastor, father figure, Godfather, confidant, “24-hour crisis hotline”, or just simply “Dad”. 

Professor Davis regularly presents performing arts workshops and seminars at various national conventions and conferences throughout the country. He has also organized and hosted numerous national, regional and city-wide Youth and Community Development events and initiatives. Common goals include: Leadership/Character Development, Life Skills Training, Academic Achievement, Cultural Enrichment, and Empowerment.

Professor Davis has received numerous awards. These are just a few. For his work in Youth and Community Development, Minister Davis has received City, County and State Proclamations in his honor, and was a top nominee for the “MLK Drum Major Award” (State of NJ).  He is the three-time recipient of the prestigious “JACKIE” for “Musician Of The Year”, “Choir of the Year” and “Best New Artist awarded by the Mississippi Music Awards Association.