Meyer Davis and His Orchestra

One of the first dance band contractors, Meyer Davis supplied groups for country clubs and hotels for more than three decades. Although he continued to perform until shortly before his death in 1976, Meyer is best remembered for the numerous versions of the Meyer Davis Orchestra that he booked for east coast functions and celebrations. Together with rival booking agent, Lester Lanin, he controlled the society music in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York and Boston throughout the 1950s and ‘60s. Forming his first band in 1915, Davis managed orchestras at hotels in Washington, DC and Philadelphia by the 1920s. He explained, in a 1963 interview, "What we provide is an atmosphere….of orchestrated pulse which works on people in a subliminal way." Although active during the big band era, Meyer continued to evolve as a musician. He recorded a rock-influenced album, Meyer Davis Plays The Twist in the early-1960s and an album of classic show tunes, Meyer Davis Plays Cole Porter in 1973. ~ Craig Harris