Carlton Davis
Birth nameCarlton Davis
Also known asSanta, Santa Davis
Born (1953-11-21) 21 November 1953
Kingston, Jamaica
GenresReggae, ska, rocksteady
Occupation(s)Drummer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Drums, vocals
Websitesantadavis.com

Carlton "Santa" Davis (born 21 November 1953) is a musician from Jamaica, primarily known for his drumming with bands such as Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Aggrovators, Soul Syndicate and Roots Radics. He has worked with reggae artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Black Uhuru, Burning Spear, Big Youth, The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Andrew Tosh, Wailing Souls, Ini Kamoze, Big Mountain, Michael Rose, and Ziggy Marley.[1]

Biography

Davis was born in the Greenwich Farm area of Kingston.[2] He got his "Santa" nickname as a result of a skating accident which left his face swollen and red.[2] At the age of ten he began playing in his local Catholic church marching band, staying with them for the next five years.[2] During his time there he was tutored in the rocksteady beat by Bobby Aitken.[2] At the age of fourteen he joined The Graduates, a nightclub band which also featured Earl "Wire" Lindo (later of The Wailers), Richard Daley (later of Third World, and Earl "Bagga" Walker.[2]

Davis joined his friend George "Fully" Fullwood in the Rhythm Raiders in 1969, the band soon changing name to Soul Syndicate, and was the drummer in Bunny Lee's studio band The Aggrovators in the 1970s, originating the "flying cymbal" sound.[3][4] Davis also played in the Roots Radics.[4]

In the 1980s he played on Bob Marley & The Wailers' Survival Uprising and Confrontation albums on "Africa Unite", "Coming in from the Cold" and "Chantdown Babylon" and also in Peter Tosh's band, and was injured during the shooting in which Tosh was murdered.[5]

He later joined Big Mountain.[6]

He has also recorded with many non-reggae major artists such as Isaac Hayes, Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Pink, Eddie Griffin, Champa on their debut album and Willie Nelson on his album Countryman in 2005.

At present, Santa is the official drummer for Ziggy Marley.[7]

Solo discography

  • Adrenalina (1997), Sarzo
  • Da Zone (2008), Iya Vybz
  • Watch You Livity (2015), Carlton "Santa" Davis Label

Partial musical career (1970 to 1985)

Drums

  • AbyssiniansArise [1978]
  • AbyssiniansForward [1969–76]
  • African BrothersWant Some Freedom [1970–78]
  • African Brothers & King Tubby – The African Brothers Meets King Tubby in Dub [197X]
  • Aggrovators – Dub Justice [1975–76]
  • Aggrovators – Reggae Stones Dub [1976]
  • Aggrovators & King Tubby's – Dub Jackpot [1974–76]
  • Aggrovators & King Tubby & Bunny Lee – Bionic Dub [1975–77]
  • Aggrovators & Revolutionaries – Rockers Almighty Dub [1979]
  • Agrovators Meet Revolutionaries – Agrovators Meet Revolutionaries Part II [197X]
  • Agrovators Meets The Revolutioners – Agrovators Meets The Revolutioners at Channel One Studios [1977]
  • Al CampbellAin't That Loving You [1978]
  • Al CampbellLate Night Blues [1980]
  • Al CampbellLoving Moods of Al Campbell [1978]
  • Al CampbellWorking Man [1980]
  • Anna Fisher & Friends – Tribute For Salvation [2013]
  • Augustus ClarkeBlack Foundation Dub [1976]
  • Augustus PabloAuthentic Golden Melodies [1974–79]
  • Augustus PabloEarth Rightful Ruler [1982]
  • Augustus PabloOriginal Rockers Vol. 2 [1989]
  • B.B. SeatonDancing Shoes [1974]
  • B.B. SeatonI'm Aware of Love [1979]
  • Barrington LevyBarrington Levy in Dub [1979]
  • Barrington LevyEnglishman [1979]
  • Barrington LevyHunter Man [1983]
  • Barrington LevyPlace Too Dark [198X]
  • Barry BrownShowcase [1980]
  • Barry BrownStep It Up Youthman [1978]
  • Big YouthLive at Reggae Sunsplash [1984]
  • Big YouthProgress [1979]
  • Big YouthReggae Gi Dem Dub [1978]
  • Big YouthRock Holy [1980]
  • Bim ShermanCrucial Cuts Vol 2 [1979–84]
  • Bim ShermanLovers Leap Showcase [1979]
  • Black Sounds Uhro – Love Crisis [1977]
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers – "Uprising [1980]
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers – "Confrontation" [1983] [2001]
  • Buro BantonBuro [1983]
  • Cedric Myton & CongosFace The Music [1981]
  • Clint EastwoodSex Education [1980]
  • Clint Eastwood & General SaintTwo Bad D.J. [1981]
  • CongoCongo Ashanti [1979]
  • Cornell CampbellDance in a Greenwich Farm [1975]
  • Cornell CampbellFight Against Corruption [1983]
  • Cornell CampbellMy Destination [197X]
  • Cornell CampbellStalowatt [1976]
  • Cornell CampbellWhat's Happening To Me [1982]
  • Dave & Ansel CollinsDouble Barrel [1971]
  • David IsaacsLove & Devotion [198X]
  • Delroy WilliamsI Stand Black [1984]
  • Delroy WilsonFor I And I [1975]
  • Delroy WilsonHit After Hit After Hit [1984]
  • Delroy WilsonNice Times [1983]
  • Delroy WilsonTrue Believer in Love [197X]
  • Delroy WilsonTrue Believer in Love [197X]
  • Dennis BrownJoseph's Coat of Many Colours [1979]
  • Dennis BrownThe Promised Land [1977–79]
  • Derrick Morgan Featuring Hortense Ellis – Feel So Good [1975]
  • DillingerCup of Tea [1980]
  • DillingerJoin The Queue [1983]
  • DillingerMarijuana in My Brain [1979]
  • Don CarlosInna Dub Style [1979–80]
  • Don CarlosSpread Out [1983]
  • Earl Chinna SmithDub It [1983]
  • Earl Chinna SmithSticky Fingers [1977]
  • Earl SixteenReggae Sound [1981]
  • Earl SixteenShining Star [1983]
  • Earl ZeroVisions of Love [1979]
  • Earth & Stone – Kool Roots [1976–78]
  • Errol DunkleyProfile of Errol Dunkley [1980]
  • Flick Wilson – School Days [197X]
  • Freddie McGregorCome on Over [1983]
  • Freddie McGregorRhythm So Nice [1983]
  • Glen Brown & King TubbyTermination Dub [1973–79]
  • Glenmore Brown – Dub From The South East [1972]
  • Gregory IsaacsThe Best of Vol 2 [1981]
  • Horace AndyPure Ranking [1979]
  • Hugh MundellAfrica Must Be Free By 1983 [1978]
  • Hugh MundellThe Blessed Youth [1978–81]
  • Hugh MundellTime And Place [1980]
  • Hugh Mundell Featuring Lacksley CastellJah Fire [1980]
  • I RoyAfrican Herbsman [1979]
  • I RoyCan't Conquer Rasta [1976]
  • I RoyHeart of a Lion [1977]
  • I RoyTruths And Rights [1975]
  • Jackie Edwards20 Greatest Hits [1975–77]
  • Jackie EdwardsThe Original "Mr. Cool Ruler" [1983]
  • Jacob MillerI'm Just A Dread [197X]
  • Jah Frankie Jones – Satta An Praise Jah [1977]
  • Jah StitchNo Dread Can't Dead [1976]
  • Jah StitchOriginal Ragga Muffin [1975–77]
  • Jah Woosh & Sis Bee – Rebellion [1981]
  • Jimmy CliffIn Concert [1976]
  • Jimmy CliffSpecial [1982]
  • Joe GibbsAfrican Dub Chapter 2 [1976]
  • Joe Gibbs & Professionals Featuring Errol Thompson – No Bones for the Dogs [1974–79]
  • John HoltSuper Star [1978]
  • John HoltTreasure of Love [1977]
  • Johnny ClarkeDread Natty Congo [1977]
  • Johnny ClarkeMoving Out [1975]
  • Johnny ClarkeOriginally Mr Clarke [1980]
  • Johnny ClarkePut It On [1975]
  • Johnny ClarkeRockers Time Now [1976]
  • Johnny ClarkeSings in Fine Style [1975]
  • Johnny ClarkeSuperstar Roots Disco Dub [1977]
  • Johnny Clarke & Delroy Wilson & Doreen Shaffer – Lovers Rock Vol 2 [197X]
  • Johnny OsbourneFolly Ranking [1980]
  • Junior BylesJordan [1976]
  • Junior DelgadoBush Master Revolution [1982]
  • Junior DelgadoMore She Love It [1981]
  • K.C. White – Try A Little Happiness [1982]
  • K.C. White – Try A Little Happiness [198X]
  • Keith HudsonTorch of Freedom [1975]
  • Keith Hudson & Various Artists – Shades of Hudson [197X]
  • Keith Poppin – More of Keith Poppin [1979]
  • King SoundsCome Zion Side Happiness [1979]
  • King TubbyAfrican Love Dub [1974–79]
  • King TubbyAnswer The Dub [197X]
  • King TubbyDub From The Roots [1974]
  • King TubbyDub Like Dirt [1975–77]
  • King TubbyDub Mix Up [1975–79]
  • King TubbyKing Tubby's Lost Treasures [1976]
  • King TubbyMajestic Dub'/ [197X]
  • King TubbyThe Roots of Dub [1975]
  • King Tubby & Errol Thompson – The Black Foundation in Dub [197X]
  • King Tubby & Friends – Rod of Correction Showcase [197X]
  • King Tubby & Jacob Miller – E-E Saw Dub [1975]
  • King Tubby & Prince Jammy – Dub Gone 2 Crazy [1975–79]
  • King Tubby Meets Scientist – In A Midnight Rock Dub Vol 1 [1983]
  • King Tubby & Soul Syndicate – Freedom Sounds in Dub [1976–79]
  • KnowledgeJudgement [1980]
  • KnowledgeStraight Outta Trenchtown [1975–80]
  • Leroy SibblesNow [1980]
  • Leroy SmartLeroy Smart & Friends [1976–78]
  • Leroy SmartSuperstar [1977]
  • Leslie Butler – Ja-Gan [1975]
  • Linval ThompsonCool Down [1974–76]
  • Linval ThompsonSix Babylon [1979]
  • Linval Thompson & Friends – Whip Them King Tubby [197X]
  • Little JohnEarly Days [198X]
  • Lone RangerM 16 [1982]
  • Lord TanamoCalypso Reggae [1979]
  • Max RomeoCrazy World of Dub [197X]
  • Max RomeoPerilous Time [1974–1999]
  • Max RomeoRevelation Time [1975]
  • MeditationsGuidance [1978]
  • Michael ProphetConsciousness [1979–80]
  • Michael ProphetGun Man [1983]
  • Mighty DiamondsLeaders of Black Country [1983]
  • Mighty DiamondsStand Up To Your Judgment [1978]
  • Mikey DreadAfrican Anthem [1979]
  • Mikey DreadDread at the Controls [1979]
  • The MorwellsCool Runnings [1979]
  • MorwellsKingston 12 Toughie [1980]
  • Nathan Skyers – Dem A Fight I [1983]
  • Nicodemus Junior – Snakes And Ladders [1983]
  • Niney The ObserverObserver Attack Dub [1969–76]
  • Nuroy & Uroy – The Originator [1976]
  • Owen GrayForward on the Scene [1975]
  • ParagonsNow [1982]
  • ParagonsReturn [198X]
  • Pat KellyGive Love A Try [1978]
  • Pat KellyLonely Man [1978]
  • Peter Metro & Captain Sinbad With Little JohnSinbad & The Metric System [1983]
  • Peter Ranking & General Lucky – Jah Standing Over Me [1982]
  • Peter ToshEqual Rights [1977]
  • Peter ToshMama Africa [1983]
  • Peter ToshNo Nuclear War [1987]
  • Phillip FrazerBlood of the Saint [1982]
  • Prince AllaOnly Love Can Conquer [1976–79]
  • Prince AllaThe Best of Prince Alla [1981]
  • Prince Alla & Junior Ross – I Can Hear The Children Singing [1976–79]
  • Prince Far ICry Tuff Dub Encounter II [1979]
  • Prince Far IHealth & Strength [1978–79]
  • Prince Far ILong Life [1978]
  • Prince Far IMessage From The King [1977]
  • Prince JammyFatman vrs. Shaka in a Dub Conference [1980]
  • Prince JammyKamikazi Dub [1979]
  • Ranking Dellinger – Superstar [1977]
  • Ranking JoeSaturday Night Jamdown Style [1980]
  • Ras Michael & Sons of Negus – Disarmament [1981]
  • Ras Michael & Sons of Negus – Rastafari [1975]
  • Ras Michael & Sons of Negus – Revelation [1982]
  • Ras MidasStand Up Wise Up [1984]
  • RevolutionariesRevolutionaries Sounds Vol 2 [1976]
  • Rod TaylorWhere Is Your Love Mankind [1980]
  • Roots Radics Meet Soul Syndicate – Roots Radics Meet Soul Syndicate in Dub [198X]
  • RoyalsDubbing with the Royals [197X]
  • RoyalsPick Up The Pieces [1977]
  • Rupie EdwardsIre Feelings [1975]
  • Sammy Dread – Early Days [198X]
  • Scientist – Dub in the Roots Tradition [1976–79]
  • Scientist – Dub Landing [1981]
  • Scientist – Heavyweight Dub Champion [1980]
  • Scientist – Scientific Dub [1978–80]
  • Scientist – Scientist Meets The Space Invaders [1981]
  • Scientist – Scientist Rids The World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires [1981]
  • Scientist & Prince Jammy – Dub Landing Vol: 2 [1982]
  • Scientist v. Prince Jammy – Big Showdown [1980]
  • Slim SmithThe Very Best Of [196X-7X]
  • Sly and the Revolutionaries With Jah Thomas – Black Ash Dub [1980]
  • Sons of JahReggae Hit Showcase [1980]
  • Sons of NegusRastafari in Dub [1978]
  • Soul SyndicateWas, Is & Always [1980]
  • Sugar MinottAfrican Girl [1981]
  • Sugar MinottBitter Sweet [1979]
  • Sylford WalkerNutin Na Gwan [1975–79]
  • Sylvan Morris – Morris on Dub [1975]
  • Tappa ZukieDeep Roots [197X-8X]
  • Tappa ZukieTapper Zukie in Dub [1976]
  • Tappa ZukieBlackman [1978]
  • The AgrovatorsJammies in Lion Dub Style [1978]
  • Tommy McCook & Aggravators – Brass Rockers [1975]
  • Tommy McCook & Aggrovators – Cookin [1975]
  • Tommy McCook & Aggrovators – Disco Rockers [1977]
  • Tony TuffFrom Tony Tuff To Lovers Everywhere [198X]
  • Tony TuffPresenting Mr Tuff [1981]
  • ToyanToyan [1982]
  • Travellers – Black Black Minds [1977]
  • U Black – Westbound Thing A Swing [1977]
  • UniquesShowcase [1978]
  • Various Artists – 17 North Parade [1972–75]
  • Various Artists – Down Santic Way [1973–75]
  • Various Artists – Java Java Dub [1972]
  • Various Artists – King Jammy in Roots [197X-8X]
  • Various Artists – King of Dub [1977–79]
  • Various Artists – Kingston All Stars Meet Downtown at King Tubbys [1972–75]
  • Various Artists – Reggae All Star [1979]
  • Various Artists – Roots of Dance Hall [197X]
  • Various Artists – Sound System Rockers [1969–75]
  • Various Artists – Sufferation [197X]
  • Various Artists – Treasure Isle in Dub [1970–78]
  • Wailing SoulsWailing [1981]
  • Wailing SoulsWailing Souls at Channel One [197X]
  • Welton IrieGhettoman Corner [1977]
  • Willie NelsonCountryman [2005]
  • Willy Williams – Messenger Man [1980]
  • Willy Williams – Unity [1986]
  • Winston JarrettWise Man [1979]
  • Winston WrightMelody of Love [1977]
  • Yabby UJah Jah Way [1980]
  • Yabby YouChant Down Babylon Kingdom [1976]
  • Yabby YouThe Yabby You Collection [197X]
  • Yabby You & King Tubby – King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub [1976]
  • Yabby You & Various Artists – Jesus Dread [1972–77]
  • YellowmanThem A Mad Over Me [1982]
  • Yellowman & Fathead – Bad Boy Skanking [1982]
  • Ziggy MarleyZiggy Marley Live in Concert [2013]

Backing vocals

Organ

  • Oku Onuora & AK7 – Pressure Drop [1984]

Percussions

  • Errol Dunkley – Profile of Errol Dunkley [1980]

References

  1. "Interview with legendary drummer Santa Davis". 29 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Katz, David (2000), People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee "Scratch" Perry, Payback Press, ISBN 0-86241-854-2, p. 115.
  3. Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9, p. 7
  4. 1 2 Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004) The Rough Guide to Reggae, 3rd edn., Rough Guides, ISBN 1-84353-329-4, p. 152, 249
  5. Lee, Sylvia (1987) "Clues in Tosh Slaying – Drug Link Suspected", Newsday, 13 September 1987, p.6
  6. Bush, John "Big Mountain Biography", Allmusic, retrieved 19 February 2011
  7. "Ziggy Marley and Don Was at Ocean Way: Reggae Legends Join In For New Album", broadcastnewsroom.com, 16 February 2011, retrieved 19 February 2011
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