Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal to Perform at Tribute Concert for Acclaimed Late Session Guitarist Jesse Ed Davis

Jackson Browne and folk-blues legend Taj Mahal are part of the lineup for a tribute concert saluting lauded late session guitarist Jesse Ed Davis that’s scheduled for February 6, 2025, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “Red Dirt Boogie: A Concert Tribute to Jesse Ed Davis” is being presented by the Tulsa-based Bob Dylan Center.

The show has been organized in conjunction with an exhibit that opened at the Bob Dylan Center in November 2024. The exhibition, titled “Jesse Ed Davis: Natural Anthem,” is scheduled to run through April 27, 2025.

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[RELATED: Jackson Browne to Perform at Debut Concert by Jason Crosby’s New Group, The Crosby Collective, Featuring Classic-Rock Mashups]

The concert’s lineup also features Joy Harjo, who was the U.S. poet laureate from 2019 to 2022. Harjo, who is a Bob Dylan Center artist-in-residence, recorded with Davis in the early 1980s. The show also will feature members of The Grafitti Band, a group that backed Native American musician, poet, and actor John Trudell on his acclaimed 1986 album aka Grafitti Man. The recording was a collaboration between Trudell and Davis.

The show also will feature some other musicians who have worked with Davis, including bassists Bob Glaub and Gary Gilmore.

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About Jesse Ed Davis

Born in Oklahoma of Native American descent, Davis had an impressively prolific career as a session guitarist. He recorded with many of the world’s most famous music artists.

Davis played on Taj Mahal’s first four studio albums, and also backed Mahal at The Rolling Stones’ legendary Rock and Roll Circus TV special. His 1971 debut solo album, ¡Jesse Davis!, included contributions from Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, and Gram Parsons.

Also in 1971, Davis played on Bob Dylan’s studio versions of “Watching the River Flow” and “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” The same year, he took part in George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh.

Davis played guitar on Browne’s classic song “Doctor My Eyes,” from Jackson’s 1972 self-titled debut album.

Other well-known artists whose recordings Jesse played on include John Lee Hooker, Albert King, ex-Byrds member Gene Clark, B.B. King, Steve Miller Band, Bryan Ferry, Arlo Guthrie, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, the Pointer Sisters, Cher, Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, Clapton, Leonard Cohen, and Emmylou Harris.

Davis, who struggled for many years with substance abuse, died in June 1988 at age 43. He was inducted posthumously into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Native American Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

Browne’s Other Scheduled Performance

Browne currently has only one other scheduled upcoming performance. As previously reported, Jackson will be a special guest performer at the debut concert by The Crosby Collective, a group led by veteran multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby. The show will take place on January 18 at the famous San Francisco venue The Fillmore.

Crosby has collaborated with a variety of musicians over the years, including serving as a member of Browne’s touring band. The Crosby Collective features several other musicians who tour with Jackson, including multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz and backing singers Alethea Mills and Chavonne Stewart. Dead & Company and ex-Allman Brothers Band bassist Oteil Burbridge also will perform as part of the collective.

The Crosby Collective’s concert will feature interesting mashups pairing elements of songs by The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, and other well-known acts.

Tickets to the “Red Dirt Boogie” concert and The Crosby Collective’s show are on sale now at various outlets, including StubHub.

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