Bob Dylan Center and Magic City Books co-present a conversation with professor and author Douglas Miller on the occasion of his new book “Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis,” the first major publication to celebrate the life, music and legacy of the go-to guitarist for A-listers including Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal and John Lennon during the 1970s and ‘80s.
Weaving together interviews with Davis’s bandmates, family members, friends and peers—among them Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and Robbie Robertson—Miller’s beautifully written biography reconstructs Davis’s journey from his Oklahoma and Native roots to backing Conway Twitty, performing with George Harrison at the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh and recording with John Trudell and the Grafitti Man band.
With a foreword by former poet laureate and Bob Dylan Center Artist-in-Residence Joy Harjo—with whom Miller has co-curated the “Jesse Ed Davis: Natural Anthem” exhibition opening at the center on the event date—”Washita Love Child” restores the red dirt boogie brother to his rightful place in rock history.
Miller will engage in a lively discussion with Bob Dylan Center Director Steven Jenkins and field questions from the audience.
“For fans of Jesse Ed, this book has been a long time coming. It finally gives the iconic, almost mythological musician a voice and humanity that many of us have been curious about for years.”
― Sterlin Harjo, filmmaker and creator of “Reservation Dogs”
“Jesse Ed Davis was a real musician’s musician, a subtle and sensitive player in service of whatever song he contributed to. While it might not require another musician or historian of Native American history to tell this story, we can be thankful that Douglas K. Miller is both, as he tells Davis’s story with depth and context.” ― Bill Janovitz, author of “Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History”
“Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis” will be available for purchase at the event. Miller will sign books for purchasers.
Details
Bob Dylan Center
116 E. Reconciliation Way, Tulsa, OK 74103
Friday, Nov. 15
6 p.m. CT
Tickets
Free
