Francis Davis was an American author and journalist, primarily recognized for his work as a jazz critic for The Village Voice and as a contributing editor at The Atlantic. He also ventured into radio, film, and academia, teaching jazz and blues at the University of Pennsylvania. Davis's contributions to the arts were acknowledged in 1994 when he was awarded a Pew Fellowship in the Arts.
August 30, 1946: Birth of Francis Davis
On August 30, 1946, Francis John Davis was born. He later became an American author and journalist.
1978: Jazz Critic
In 1978, Davis worked as the jazz critic for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
1983: End of Jazz Critic Role
In 1983, Davis ceased being the jazz critic for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
1984: Began Writing for The Atlantic
In 1984, Davis began writing for The Atlantic, leading its jazz coverage.
1987: Jazz Critic for Fresh Air
In 1987, Davis became the first jazz critic for the program Fresh Air, hosting a weekly radio jazz feature.
1989: Grammy Nomination
In 1989, Davis was nominated for a Grammy Award for his liner notes to Jazz Piano for the Smithsonian Collection of Recordings, along with Martin Williams and Dick Katz.
1992: Guggenheim Fellowship
In 1992, Davis received a Guggenheim Fellowship.
1994: Marriage to Terry Gross
In 1994, Francis Davis married Terry Gross.
1994: Pew Fellowships in the Arts
In 1994, Francis Davis received the Pew Fellowships in the Arts.
2003: Criticism from Stanley Crouch
In 2003, Stanley Crouch criticized Davis in a JazzTimes column for perceived condescension towards black musicians, leading to Crouch's termination from Jazz Times.
2004: Main Jazz Columnist
In 2004, Davis inherited the main jazz column at The Village Voice from Gary Giddins.
2006: Jazz Critics Poll Started
In 2006, Davis started the year-end Jazz Critics Poll.
2008: Grammy Award
In 2008, Davis won the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes for the Miles Davis album, Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition.
2011: End of Jazz Critics Poll at Village Voice
In 2011, Davis stopped running the Jazz Critics Poll at the Village Voice.
2022: Jazz Critics Poll at The Arts Fuse
In 2022, the Jazz Critics Poll moved to The Arts Fuse.
2024: Moved into Hospice
In the autumn of 2024, Davis moved into hospice after being diagnosed with emphysema and Parkinson's disease.
April 14, 2025: Death of Francis Davis
On April 14, 2025, Francis Davis died at the age of 78.
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