Daryl Davis
Chicago native Daryl Davis graduated from Howard University, with a degree in Jazz. Outside of school, he was personally trained by legendary Blues, Boogie Woogie and Rock'n'Roll pianists Pinetop Perkins and Johnnie Johnson.
A man once told Daryl, he’d never seen a Black man play piano like Jerry Lee Lewis. Daryl explained they both learned from black Blues and Boogie Woogie pianists. The man found it hard to believe in the black origin of the music but became a regular fan of Daryl’s. Turns out he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. This experience led to Daryl becoming the first black author to travel the country interviewing KKK leaders and members. His experiences are detailed in his book, Klan-Destine Relationships and the award winning documentary Accidental Courtesy.
Daryl is the recipient of numerous awards for his music and work in race relations and is often seen and heard on cable and network television and radio as a race relations expert.