upright bass · composer · new york
Cole Davis
juilliard-trained, downtown-raised — the low end on records you've probably already heard.
Juilliard · Berklee · Yamaha Artist · studied under Ron Carter
juilliard-trained, downtown-raised — the low end on records you've probably already heard.
Juilliard · Berklee · Yamaha Artist · studied under Ron Carter
cole davis is an upright bassist and composer based in new york. he trained at juilliard — one of the youngest musicians ever admitted to its artist diploma and master's programs at once — came up on the city's bandstands, and has spent the years since as the foundation under other people's records, on sessions from bon iver to dua saleh.
he records as a leader, writes for everything from small ensembles to big band, and has taught bassists around the world through more than ten published books. the player you've heard without knowing the name.
a quick minute so you know who you'd be studying with — the way i think about the bass, and how i like to teach.
consider it! (2025) — produced by ryan olson on totally gross national product. featuring bon iver & julian lage.
"Consider It! is one of the 5 coolest records I've ever worked on."
cole's bass turns up across the records that shaped the last decade of left-of-center music — the part you felt before you could name it.
cole is an award-winning composer whose music spans big band, brass quintet, and small jazz ensemble — blending rich harmonic language, a strong melodic identity, and a deep sense of groove.
View compositions & scores →national endowment for the arts
bmi foundation award
ascap award
all-original album · spotify
an original composition for brass quintet — one of the pieces almost no bassist has in their book.
Watch the piece →teaching philosophy
i teach with the same mindset with which i play: staying open-minded and curious, working with my collaborators to best serve the situation, and pursuing that indescribable feeling that happens when two or more people get to something together.
when a student asks me a question, i don't answer for myself — i answer for the sake of collective knowledge: that thing that happens when the teacher learns from the question and the student learns from the answer.
my studio is a positive space where students feel free to experiment and stretch. my philosophy centers on simplifying the instrument to give students a strong technical foundation.
juilliard · berklee · yamaha artist · studied under ron carter
Full philosophy & teaching videos →
the goal isn't students who sound like me. it's helping musicians sound like themselves.
"Cole as a teacher is engaged, present to the situation, and comfortable discussing any topic. He has a unique perspective as a force on the double bass. Learning from him in person or online will be a worthwhile journey into your sound on the bass."
"Studying with Cole has given me useful perspectives on all aspects of professional musicianship. Whether it's analyzing harmony, utilizing transcriptions, or general gigging advice, Cole has thoughtful insights on it all."
"Cole approached teaching with an open-minded and welcoming style, and customized his lessons to specific skills I wanted to work on while taking me out of my comfort zone musically. He was able to be both inspiring and relatable."
private lessons, in person or online — every level, from your first upright to sharpening your walking and soloing.
tell cole about your playing and what you want to work on. he reads every request himself and reaches out to set up your first lesson.
Apply to study with Cole →