Jackson Browne Photo by Danny Clinch; Taj Mahal by William Coupon
On Thursday, Feb. 6, The Bob Dylan Center will present a one-night staging of “Red Dirt Boogie: A Concert Tribute to Jesse Ed Davis,” featuring an iconic lineup of Davis collaborators like Taj Mahal, Jackson Browne and other prominent players who will use the concert framework to deliver songs initially written or recorded by Davis, or featuring him on guitar. The show will occur at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center in Tulsa, Okla.
Jesse Ed Davis was one of the most sought-after session musicians in the ‘60s and ‘70s, an Indigenous singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer who added his touch to Browne’s 1972 chart-topper “Doctor My Eyes” and Dylan classics/ the Leon Russell produced “Watching the River Flow” and “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” Davis’ network of collaborators also included George Harrison, joining the former Beatles guitarist during his iconic ‘70s benefit Concert for Bangladesh.
Known as “the guitar hero’s guitar hero,” Davis supported the likes of John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Leonard Cohen and Rod Stewart. However, he never fully received his due during his lifetime. Despite passing away in 1988, “Red Dirt Boogie” sets out to correct history and give Davis the laurels he deserves, drawing on the unjust reality that Indigenous artists do not receive proper recognition.
Beyond Mahal and Browne’s inclusion in the event, U.S. Poet Laureate and Bob Dylan Center Artist-in-Residence Joy Harjo will also participate in tomorrow’s gathering–she recorded with Davis in the 1980s. The entertainment lineup includes The Grafitti Band’s Ricky Eckstein, Gary Ray, Quiltman Sahme, Mark Shark, and Billy Watt; the players backed Davis and fellow Native artist John Trudell on the LP, aka Grafitti Man–a known Dylan favorite.
The concert is part of the public program associated with the Dylan Center’s “Jesse Ed Davis: Natural Anthem” exhibition, which is on view through April 27, 2025. The exhibition is based on Douglas K. Miller’s biography, Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis. Miller also contributed to Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day, a forthcoming set of unissued Davis songs.
Visit bobdylancenter.com for detailed information and links to tickets.
