Lynn Davis

Lynn Davis (born July 12, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer.

In 1975, Davis and Elaine Norwood entered the Battle of the Bands: Hollywood Bowl competition under the group name "Shades of Love".

The duo won the contest, becoming the first vocal act in the history of the competition to win.

After graduating high school at the age of 17, she received a message from a friend to audition for The George Duke Band.

At the age of 18, Lynn began a professional singing career when she joined singer/musician George Duke and his band for his tour.

During this time, The George Duke Band consisted of George Duke, Josie James, Sheila E.., Napoleon Murphy Brock, Charles Foster Johnson, Byron Miller, and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler.

She rose to prominence after joining The George Duke Band in 1977.

During her time with the band, she sang lead vocals on some of their biggest hits: "I Want You for Myself", "Party Down", and "Thief in the Night".

Under the guidance of Epic Records musician and mentor George Duke, Davis continued booking success by contributing background vocals and writing songs for many singers including Tracie Spencer, La Toya Jackson, Patrice Rushen, Anita Baker, and many other singers.

Davis's musical genre has varied throughout her career including R&B, funk, soul, and pop.

Her artistic influences include George Duke, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, and Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Throughout her career, Davis has written songs and contributed background vocals for over 100 different singers and musical groups.

Known for her wide, high-reaching vocal range, she is recognized as one of the most successful and musical recorded session vocalists of the era.

She has also been a back-up singer for a number of famous artists, including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Toshinobu Kubota, as well as toured with Yanni for a short period of time, where her popularity has grown among worldwide audiences.

Lynn Blythe Davis was born in Jamestown, California, to Adeline Davis (née Livingston) and Thomas Davis, a Baptist minister at a local church.

Lynn attended Narbonne High School in Los Angeles, California, where she enrolled in dance classes.

Her singing talent was discovered when she began performing in school talent shows.

Lynn's interest in music and performing continued after winning a school talent show at age sixteen along with her friends.

In 1978, Lynn contributed background vocals on the title-track album "No One Home" by Argentine composer/pianist Lalo Schifrin.

In the same year, she contributed background vocals along with The George Duke Band on Flora Purim's album Carry On.

In 1979, Lynn contributed background vocals on the songs "Summer Breezin'" and "I Need You Now", which were featured on George Duke's album A Brazilian Love Affair.

In mid-1979, Lynn became the featured vocalist on the single "I Want You for Myself", which was released on George Duke's album Master of the Game.

The single charted at number 23 on Billboard's Hot R&B chart and on the Hot Dance Club Songs' chart.

In the same year, Lynn began providing background vocals for singer Patrice Rushen, whom she met during the recording sessions with Lalo Schifrin.

The songs were featured on Rushen's hit album Pizzazz.

In 1980, Lynn began contributing background vocals for La Toya Jackson's self-titled debut album.

In the same year, she also contributed background vocals and began writing songs for Patrice Rushen's album Posh.

Lynn also appears on the album as a guest and featured vocalist for "This Is All I Really Know", a song she wrote for Rushen's album.

For a brief time, Davis joined the band Twennynine and contributed vocals to their first album Best of Friends.

Davis was also present with the band when they performed on American Bandstand.

In 1981, Lynn recorded a cover version of Earth, Wind, and Fire's hit single After the Love Has Gone for Stanley Turrentine's album Tender Togetherness.

In the same year, she also contributed background vocals for Syreeta Wright's album Set My Love in Motion and Greg Phillinganes's album Significant Gains.

In late 1981, she recorded background vocals for Billy Preston & Syreeta Wright's duet album Billy Preston & Syreeta.

In 1982, Lynn was featured on Jeffrey Osborne's debut single "I Really Don't Need No Light", which appeared on his self-titled debut album.

Lynn also appears a background vocalist on his song "Ain't Nothin' Missin'" and "Baby", which also appear on his album.

Later that year, Lynn once again provided background vocals and wrote songs for Patrice Rushen to appear on her hit album, Straight from the Heart.

In early 1983, Lynn joined The Gene Dunlap Band.

The band released their first album, entitled Tired of Being a Nice Guy.

Lynn returned to the George Duke Band and they released their album Guardian Of The Light.

Lynn later toured with the George Duke Band for their worldwide tour.