When Davina Sowers was growing up, she was influenced by American roots music. “Sure, I loved Ella Fitzgerald, but also Led Zeppelin,” said the front-woman for Davina and the Vagabonds. With a mom who was a folk singer and a father born in 1902, Davina was exposed to a wide array of music. “I was always a sponge when it came to music . . . if it is honest and good, I love it.”
Performing for more than two decades with her band, Davina is excited to spread their love of jazz, blues, and swing through their high-energy live shows. And now one of those live shows is a holiday show. Not everything associated with the pandemic was bad. For Davina and the Vagabonds, it meant a chance to enjoy the holidays with friends and family instead of being on the road performing. “That holiday season was one of the first I’d experienced in a while . . . it was a rebirth of sorts for me,” said Davina. “I realized how special the holidays can be as we shared those gems for ourselves and all those feels.”
That inspiration led the band to create a holiday album. “We tried to be as honest as we possibly could and pick songs that represent what the holidays are for us.” Then that album led to A Vagabond Holiday to be performed at the Federal Way Performing Arts & Events Center on December 9.
This rollicking quintet melds Sowers’ keyboard playing with acoustic bass, drums, and a spicy trumpet and trombone horn section. The group’s focused, clean sound and emphasis on acoustic instruments are novel to both blues and jazz worlds and are sure to leave you feeling merry and bright.
A Vagabond Holiday features classic holiday songs, but also winter-based songs that are multi-generational. According to Davina, “We want to give our audience 90 minutes of feel-good, fun music that moves them to dance and celebrate as a community the meaning of the holiday.”
A VAGABOND HOLIDAY
December 9, 2023 | 3 pm & 7 pm
Federal Way Performing Arts & Events Center
Presented by Tacoma Arts Live
Tickets: tacomaartslive.org
For Additional Information
Davita and the Vagabonds
davinaandthevagabonds.com
BY LYNN CASTLE