Prof. Richard Davis receives MLK Heritage Award

One of  two State of Wisconsin 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Heritage Awards honoring work in social justice was presented to internationally-celebrated musician and UW-Madison Prof. of Music Richard Davis.  This year’s other winner was the YWCA Every Town girls camp.

Davis, an internationally known bassist and professor of bass (European Classical and Jazz), jazz history and combo improvisation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has worked with a variety of famous musicians including Sarah Vaughan, Eric Dolphy, Don Sebesky, Oliver Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis, and many others. But he was honored by the State of Wisconsin for his commitment to diversity and work to healing racism through his Institute for the Healing of Racism, Inc. 

“I grew up listening to Martin Luther King on the television and the radio,” told the audience gathered at the State Capitol on Monday.  “I believed every word he said, it’s just that I knew it would take a lot of work to make it work. If you think humanity can lie dormant, you’re wrong,” Davis told the crowd. “That’s why we’re here today and I encourage you all to make your best effort to love. I encourage you to think like the masterful personality of Martin Luther King. He was way ahead of us – far ahead of us – but he knew which way we needed to be directed towards.”

“I encourage you to think like the masterful personality of Martin Luther King,” Davis said as he accepted the award. “He was way ahead of us. He was far ahead. But he knew which way we should be directed toward.”

Richard Davis is an international performing musician and Professor of Bass (European Classical and Jazz), Jazz History and combo improvisation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Chicago born, he came to the UW-Madison in 1977 after spending 23 years in New York City establishing himself as one of the world’s premier bass players. Downbeat International Critics Poll named him Best Bassist from 1967-74. He has recorded a dozen albums as a leader and 3000 recordings/jingles as a sideman. Some of his performance/recording credits include Sarah Vaughan, Eric Dolphy, Don Sebesky, Oliver Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Band, Dexter Gordon, Ahmad Jamal and a host of other notables.

Davis is equally at home in the world of euro classical music, having played under the batons of George Szell, Leopold Stokowski, Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Gunther Schuller, and Leonard Bernstein. His great versatility as a bassist keeps him in constant demand for worldwide concert appearances. For nearly fifty years he has drawn enthusiastic audiences in Japan, Europe, Russia, South America, Puerto Rico, Cuba, The West Indies, Hong Kong , Israel and United States. His most recent CD release (May 2000) , The Bassists: Homage to Diversity (King Records) was recorded in Japan. This CD was inspired by experiences related to diversity dialogue. His second CD with King records So In Love was assembled with the idea of embracing the oneness of humankind.

In 1993, he founded the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists, Inc. which  annually brings in 17 masterful bass instructors/performers to teach young bassists  ages 3-18.In 1998 he created the Retention Action Project (R.A.P.) focused on open dialogues in subjects that educate all of us to multicultural differences. R.A.P. collaborated with Vice Chancellor Paul W. Barrows (student affairs) and Seema Kapani, Diversity Education Coordinator/Trainer (Equity and Diversity Resourse Center).He has been instrumental in bringing to the UW campus renowned speakers and social change activists such as Peggy McIntosh, Jane Elliott, Francie Kendall, Nathan Rutstein, Victor Lewis, Hugh Vasquez (Color of Fear, Stir Fry Productions,1994) and Allan G. Johnson (Gender Knot). Prof. Davis is devoted to equity issues and shares freely his wisdom, home, and resources with one and all to help create an environment where all can experience dignity and  peace. He has also initiated a chapter in Madison  of the “Institutes for the Healing of Racism, Inc.” 

Prof. Davis has received honorary doctorate degrees in Musical Arts and Humane Letters, and the Hilldale Award for distinguished teaching from former Chancellor Donna Shalala, and a honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Edgewood College, Madison, in 1998. In 2000 he received the Manfred E. Swarsensky Humanitarian Award from the Rotary Club Of Madison.  In 2001 he received the Governor’s of Wisconsin Arts Award.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, bestowed annually by the City of Madison, was presented to Dr. Richard Davis by Mayor Susan J.M. Bauman during the 18th Annual City-County Observance of Dr. King’s birth at the Madison Civic Center, on Monday, January, 2003. (Interview)

In 2008, Richard Davis received the MAMA (Madison Area Music Award Michael St. John Lifetime Achievement Award, Human Rights Award (Rev.James C. Wright), “FIGS” 2008 First Interest Group Students (Freshman Year), the TRIO award/first in family to go to College/Awarded by Caroline McCormack. In 2009 he received the Exceptional Service Award University of Wisconsin-Madison 2009 (Gary Sandefur, Dean), and the Spencer Tracy Award for Distinction in the Performing Arts (Wisconsin Historical Society).

“As one of the world’s premier bass players, Davis’s music has touched the lives of countless fans, and his teaching has inspired generations of students in the classroom as well as with the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists, Inc., which provides musical instruction for financially challenged youth. While the jazz master and professor could’ve ended his renowned biography there, his passion for social justice, for the healing of racism, has changed the lives of those who have accepted his invitation to open their hearts, minds and spirits to the history and pathology of racism within.” (Neil Heinen in Spectrum).

Richard Davis is currently working on his autobiography.

For information about current Racial Healing Classes, click here.

For information on The Annual Bass Conference, click here. 

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Institute for the Healing of Racism, Inc.

Non Profit-Tax Exempt 501(c)(3), Non-Religious, Non-Partisan

Catering to General Public Regardless of Nationality, Race, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity/Expression

Minimum Age for Participation – 16 years

Richard Davis  / PRESIDENT

Winter 2016 Series Registration  Background  Español

MISSIONThe mission of the Madison Wisconsin Institute for Healing of Racism, Inc. is to raise consciousness about the history and pathology of racism and help heal racism in individuals, communities and institutions within the Greater Madison area and all over the US.  In doing this, we will  at a given time, work cooperatively with other efforts in Madison and with other groups and Institutes for the Healing of Racism throughout America and the world. The role of the steering committee is to initiate and lead efforts that will help the Institute fulfill its mission, working collaboratively with all Institute (participants) members.

SUGGESTED DONATIONS

The Madison Wisconsin Institute for Healing of Racism, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to providing education to help heal and eradicate racism in individuals, communities and institutions. Tax deductible contributions to defray expenses are appreciated

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  I only hope that I can somehow change who I am in my remaining lifetime and pass on to my children what little I now know so they do not have to wait 46 years to finally learn the meaning of racism.

– Police Captain Dale G. Burke, University of Wisconsin Police

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WINTER 2016 SERIES

FEBRUARY 15 – APRIL 25
MONDAYS 6-8 PM

Weekly meetings (approximately two hours) for ten weeks
A ten-week commitment is required for full understanding and impact. Please wait for the Fall 2016 Series if you believe you may miss more than two sessions.

Open to all regardless of race/ethnicity, religion, political affiliations, sexual orientation, or gender expression. Must be 16 or older to participate.

Registration Fee $50.00 — Scholarships are available. For more scholarship information, please email IHRscholarship@gmail.com. Registration payment will be accepted once your enrollment is confirmed. Please wait for more information regarding registration payment.

 SPECIAL SATURDAYS (OPTIONAL): In addition to the ten-week series, three Saturdays sessions are offered to engage with each other through film viewing and face-to-face exercises. Attendance at one or more of these special Saturdays is encouraged. The following special Saturdays will be offered:

1. “Racial Healing” by Nathan Rutstein
2. “Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice” by Paul Kivel
3. “White Like Me” by Tim WiseAvailable at a Room of One’s Own
   315 W. Gorham Street
   Madison WI 53703
   608-257-7888

   OR

   Rainbow Bookstore
   426 W. Gilman St
   Madison WI 53703
   608-257-6050

4. “Never Say Nigger Again” by M. Garlinda BurtonCopies available upon request for $10. Used copies also available from Amazon Marketplace

For more information, contact the Institutes volunteers: