The Extended Play Sessions with Davina and The Vagabonds

Davina Sowers is a gifted performer, type-A businesswoman, incredible musician and a bit of a music historian that has set her sights on keeping the traditions of blues, jazz, pop and roots music alive for future generations...starting with her own. How to do that? Surround yourself with a group of young, gifted players that share your vision and your penchant for perfection and hit the road for 200+ gigs a year. Davina and The Vagabonds are making a name for themselves in hometown Minneapolis as well as the rest of the US and Europe and earning it every step of the way. The rhythm section of Connor McRae on drums and Greg Byers on bass follow Davina's percussive piano style with military precision while the horn section of Daniel Eikmeier (trumpet) and Ben Link (trombone) fill the music with authenticity and vivid color. As good as any band we've had the pleasure of filming, Davina and The Vagabonds rank amongst the best pure roots bands out there, period. From start to finish, this band absolutely brought the house down!

The Fallout Shelter is an all ages 100-seat performance venue and state-of-the-art broadcast and recording studio, offering one of the most unique live music experiences in New England. Located in Norwood, MA, just 15 miles from Boston, The Fallout Shelter is run under the auspices of the Grass Roots Cultural and Performing Arts Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and advocating for traditional American Roots music.

[MrBangbangmaxwell]

My elder Bro' & I had an amazing experience over the August Bank Holiday weekend at, The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne, Lancs. We saw some Top, Top Bands! Davina & Co. were superb, they performed an exquisite set & had their audience eating from the palm of their Rather Go such emotion, Davina so did I. Music from the YOU, ALL SO glad they sing in Bless understand if you watch this all the way!

[JohnWilson-bnxs]

. Hasta be one of THE most under-rated bands. Drums, horns, all of em...and they do it all...dixieland to R&B. Davina does the most righteous version of I.' RATHER GO BLIND since Etta. I hope they get the recognition they deserve.

[richardturner]

We all cried when Davina sang " I'd rather go Blind". Never seen such emotion come through in a performance.  I can only echo what's written below. Fantastic show I had the privilege to talk to her outside  the Muni and she's a lovely warm person.

[crokit]

Davina and her most excellent band have that rare ability to mix great music with absorbing entertainment. They mix musical talent and creativity with energetic fun and drama...Davina is a Bette Midleresque performer - her facial expressions alone could fill a video. One of the great EPS shows!

[limealemur]

I had the pleasure of seeing them last night. I'm admittedly not a jazz or blues fan but was working at the theater where they performed. Davina was completely delightful and it took me by surprise how much I truly enjoyed their performance. 10/10 would see again

[stephenball]

Davina Rules!! Can't wait to see her again at Natalie's, and maybe even at The Refectory!!!!

[bluelady]

What an incredible band, musically so tight and the professionalism of the group is so impressive. Loved the music and seeing and hearing about the band in documentary style was a plus. Loved learning more about them, as though the music was not impressive enough.

[TheDeeHartman]

I loved this video. Very well edited with music between comments made by Davina and a few of the band members. Yep! Loved it

[ceeweedsl]

Criticism asidi it's still great to get the music and the documentary side too. Thanks for putting it out.

[jgagich]

Awesome band! Can't wait to see you perform!

[thefalloutshelternorwood]

This was shot in Boston at The Extended play Sessions

[frankstackowitz]

Where was this shot???
We in Minneapolis are fortunate to have these guys. Saw them play at Famous Dave's in Uptown (great club, BTW); Davina and the guys sat around between sets, in the club - not retreating to the Dressing Room - and visited with people. Down to earth, friendly group of Talented players.

[frankstackowitz]

Ahhhh.... live audience and all.... Well shot

[WrestlingErnestHemingway]

It's a shame all the band members Davina HAD here have all moved on and isn't The Vagabonds anymore. This WAS the main energy band she HAD that HAD pure swag.. Her current band imo of 2018 doesn't have the same energy, drive, passion or swag that this band in this video had here. The final straw and loss of her drummer Connor McRae Hammergren quitting the band (or her firing him, fans were never told what the hell happened) was the final nail in the coffin for me. Her vocals will always be great, I just wish somehow she'd reform the band that was here on this video. This WAS THE TRUE VAGABONDS imo. The guys (newer Vagabonds I guess) she has now in 2018 are just ok average and that really isn't a good thing.

[ceeweedsl]

I already knew how much I liked the artist. My first impression here is irritation at the production. Running credits over the first song says: "those who made this come first and the artist featured comes second. Credits at the end this way would be better.
Also not a fan of the contrived old scratchy film overlay. Cute for a moment but soon becomes irritating. This video distracts and makes me think of the producers when I wanted to see the artists. Oh well.