Clinton Davis is a multi-instrumentalist folk musician and teacher based in San Diego. A fifth-generation Kentuckian, Davis grew up in Carroll County. He currently performs and teaches online banjo, guitar, fiddle, harmonica, mandolin, and piano.
Davis’ skills across instruments and genres have earned him acclaim across the country. In 2015 renowned Americana publication No Depression called his work “a joyous and soulful restoration of one of the lost treasures of American musical tradition.” That same year, his album with the G Burns Jug Band was awarded “Best Local Recording” at the San Diego Music Awards. At the Santa Barbara Old Time Fiddler’s Convention, Davis has been awarded first prize on banjo in 2018 and first prize on fiddle in 2019. He has performed at folk festivals across the country including Wintergrass (WA), Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival (WA), National Jug Band Jubilee (KY), and the Brooklyn Folk Festival (NY).
Davis performs as a soloist, with his own string band, and backing up other kindred spirits devoted to traditional American music such as Brooklyn’s queen of the blues, Mara Kaye, and San Francisco’s powerhouse string band Skillet Licorice.
Clinton is an in-demand teacher of banjo and offers online lessons through his teaching website.