Jesse Ed Davis: Natural Anthem

A career-spanning exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of Jesse Ed Davis, legendary rock ‘n’ roll musician and member of the Native American Music Hall of Fame, opens to the public at the Bob Dylan Center on Friday, Nov. 15, with an exclusive member opening slated for the previous evening and a tribute concert featuring past collaborators Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Joy Harjo and the Grafitti Band set for Feb. 6, 2025 in Tulsa (concert ticket information and other details will be announced in the coming weeks).

Like Dylan, Davis was a fearless and uncompromising artist, steadfastly dedicated to his craft and thriving as a collaborator with fellow musicians such as Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, John Lennon, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Leonard Cohen, Rod Stewart and Dylan himself. Unlike Dylan, however, Davis’ significance as a musician, songwriter and, notably, Native American artist has been unjustly neglected since his passing in 1988, an oversight the exhibit aims to correct.

The members-only opening event on Thursday, Nov. 14 will feature comments from co-curators Harjo and Miller and a performance by indie-rock musician Scott McCaughey (R.E.M., The Baseball Project, Young Fresh Fellows, The Minus 5, The No Ones), who cites Davis as an influence and inspiration. McCaughey’s brief set will include an original song written about Davis as well as songs by Davis and Dylan.