JAY DAVENPORT - Drums
Born in 1960, Jay Davenport grew up on the south side of Chicago listening to jazz, jazz-fusion and lots of seventies R&B. Particularly influenced by Billy Cobham and Steve Gadd, he set out to find his niche, playing with local soul and fusion bands early in his career. At the famed Kingston Mines he connected with blues/rock harmonica legend Sugar Blue, and Jay's blues career was quickly underway.

Early in their relationship, Blue wanted more expertise in traditional blues drumming, so he hooked Jay up with retired longtime Chess Records/Bo Diddley drummer, Clifton James, who agreed to mentor him.

James was adamant that Jay continue to infuse new ideas into his blues drumming and he quickly blossomed into a high demand player on the Chicago Blues scene playing with Junior Wells, Valerie Wellington, Pinetop Perkins and Jimmie Johnson. For the past several years he has manned the drum kit for virtuoso west-side guitarist Melvin Taylor, whose most recent bass player was Greg Rzab.

When Greg got word that John Mayall was putting together a new blues band for 2009, he called Jay and asked him if he was interested in the prospect of playing some good down home blues-rock. John in turn liked the idea of having a Chicago rhythm section and the gig was locked in. The force and good taste of his playing has enhanced both the recordings and live shows with John ever since.