2018 Special Holiday Edition
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Phil Davis, similar to his previous hit CD
entitled FOR YOUR LOVE and his holiday
CD entitled REJOICE.
If you attended The DIVA Zone’s A Jazzy
Wonderland holiday affair on Saturday,
December 9, 2017 at The Woodland
in Maplewood, NJ, you already know;
Yancyy is a force to be reckoned with.
Aside from his tremendous musical
gifts and talents, Yancyy’s generous
heart, infectious spirit, love for God and
His people is what got my immediate
attention. Ladies, there are some beautiful
men in this life. Be encouraged! It is my
honor to introduce to you the artistry, and
heart of an all-around, good brother, Lord
Yancyy.
DZ: Thank you for taking time for this
interview. How is your spirit feeling right
now?
LY: I appreciate the time, Najiyyah. My
spirit is at peace. I’m excited about life. I’m
ready to be used for His purpose however
He sees fi t. I am in a really good place.
DZ: Okay, so there are some questions
I must ask on behalf of my audience or I
will be crucifi ed. Lol. How old are you?
LY: Four decades. Lol. Between 40-45. I
can’t reveal more than that. Lol.
DZ: Are you married?
children?
Do you have
LY: I normally don’t entertain questions
about marital status. Lol. But since it’s you,
My spirit
is at
peace.
I’m excited about
life. I’m ready to
be used for His
purpose.
please tell them I am married to my music.
I have a beautiful son. He is 5 going on 65.
That’s my pride and joy.
DZ: How long have you been playing?
LY: Wow. For over 30 years now. My
father bought me my fi rst horn when I
was 11-years-old. I will never forget the
unveiling of that gift.
DZ: Is that one of your fondest memories
of your father? Is he still living?
LY: Well, (long pause topped with a
chuckle) it may as well be. There were
not many other memories. Lol. No, he has
made his transition. You know, I count
it all joy. The good and bad. I learned
so much from him about how not to be
in terms of a man and father, that I am
grateful. No ill feelings at all. I am the
man I am today because of all that I have
experienced so it’s truly all good.
DZ: Who are some of your greatest
musical infl uences?
LY: I grew up in a gospel household and
spent a great deal of time in church.
So, for me, the initial infl uence came
from a gospel saxophonist named
Bernard Johnson. I fi rst heard him when
I was 13-years-old in church and I was
captivated. I will never forget how I was
impacted at that moment. Then I made
the mistake of hearing this cat named
Grover Washington Jr., and he messed
me up. Lol. I didn’t want to hear any more
gospel saxophonists after that. I was on
trip of years of rebellion as a result of
Grover. (Laughing). And of course, John
Coltrane. They spoke to me in a way
that Bernard Johnson could not have as
an artist. Today, I can say that they each
contributed equally to my artistry in ways
I can’t explain.
DZ: Who are you listening to on your iPod
currently?
LY: I have over 20k songs in my iPod, but
I don’t listen to that. I’m a satellite radio
guy. I toggle between traditional jazz
(90% percent of my time), R&B, Gospel.
Sometimes, I go back to my college days
and listen to some classical.
DZ: Who have been your biggest
infl uencers in terms of manhood?
LY: I’m a conglomerate of a few men.
My step father (who I never viewed as a
step) was like my big brother, my friend
and my dad. I had amazing teachers who
cultivated me in my youth. I also had a
great pastor who also happened to be my
uncle. He guided me spiritually. I am a
product of my village for sure. I am truly
grateful they were in my life.