Notable Leaders in Arts and Entertainment: Mark Davis

Class of 2024

In addition to his role as founder, artistic director and instructor at the Milwaukee Jazz Institute, Mark Davis is one of the top jazz pianists in the country.

“Mark is respected nationally,” said Vince Shiely, partner at Lubar & Co. “He has been a tireless advocate for jazz as a musical genre and strives to develop a vibrant jazz community in Milwaukee in the areas of jazz education and training. He works tirelessly to make world-class jazz performance available in Milwaukee.”

Davis has given jazz piano lessons to local executives like Shiely as well as Greg Marcus, president and CEO of The Marcus Corp., according to Shiely.

Davis founded the nonprofit Milwaukee Jazz Institute with his wife, Erin, who serves as the institute’s managing director, to uplift Milwaukee’s culture through jazz education and performance, create opportunities for professional musicians and teach the next generation of jazz artists.

He has also sold 28,000 copies of his two jazz piano method books, which he wrote to train up-and-coming pianists.

“We are fortunate to have his passion and skills available, and Milwaukee is a better place musically because of him,” said Shiely.