Two virtuosos in their own right, Regina Carter and Xavier Davis have undertaken numerous collaborations stretching back to 2004, and as a result now share an electric and near-telepathic connection on stage. Hailed as the foremost jazz violinist of her generation, Carter is a MacArthur fellow and recent recipient of the prestigious Doris Duke Artist Award whose quest for beauty and passion for excellence finds a complementary musical voice in Davis’ accomplished artistry, yielding an intimate and unforgettable concert experience.

Performing four sets at Dazzle at Baur’s
Wednesday, 3/4 at 6:30 and 9pm
Thursday, 3/5 at 6:30 and 9pm

For Grammy-nominated artist Regina Carter, the violin isn’t simply an improvisational vehicle—it’s a passport to unexpected realms. In addition to receiving a “genius grant” from the MacArthur Foundation, San Francisco Performances also took note of her exceptional work and appointed her Artist-in-Residence for five years. Carter also served as one of the Resident Artistic Directors for the discerning SFJAZZ during its inaugural season in its spectacular new home. Most recently, the acclaimed violinist was selected as the 2017 Showcase Artist for the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival and in 2018 was appointed as the Director of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s All-Female Jazz Residency, a unique summer immersion program for aspiring women jazz professionals.

Xavier Davis‘ professional career as a jazz pianist took off when the legendary vocalist Betty Carter spotted his outstanding talent at the 1994 International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Boston while he was performing with his college ensemble. It was Carter who brought Davis to New York, hiring him exclusively as the pianist of her working trio. Today, Davis is one of the most accomplished jazz pianists worldwide. Having led master classes and clinics all over the world and coming from a family of music educators himself, Davis takes a keen interest in passing on knowledge and skills to young musicians. As such, he is proud to be an Associate Professor of Jazz Piano at Michigan State University. Davis was also a member of the teaching staff in the jazz department of the Juilliard School of Music in New York for six years prior to that.