I was born into a Welsh-speaking very musical family so my interest and involvement in Music comes naturally!

My career as a musician spreads many decades from the years of piano instruction as a child to the present time which sees me teaching, writing and performing music.

My formal musical training includes years of piano tuition; my informal training includes decades of performing with musicians who are generally regarded as the most influential in their musical fields and eras.

In Britain, I played for two years with the most famous of all Scottish groups, "The Corries", during which time I traveled extensively throughout the British Isles. I appeared in numerous concert venues and recorded with this group.
I then joined, "The Ian Campbell Folk Group". This group was considered to be one of Britain's finest groups. During my time with The Campbell Group, I toured Europe, recorded several projects and learned the skills necessary to create what would, many years later, become Calgary and Canada's premier Folk Club.

I emigrated to Calgary In 1967 and shortly afterwards I became associated with the Adult Education Department of the CBE. I eventually developed and wrote the Guitar Instruction courses for this organization. It is no idle claim that thousands of guitar players in and around Calgary discovered the beauty of the guitar through the book I wrote. I state publicly that any learning I did was due to the wonderful musicians I knew in Britain who took the time to teach me. The fact that I can pass on that knowledge I regard as a blessing.

Several major events shaped the next decades of my musical life; one was the creation of, "The Wild Colonial Boys", the second was a chance meeting with Liam Clancy of the original Clancy Brothers fame, the third was the creation of the Calgary Folk Club and Calgary Folk Festival

I have provided a section for, "The Wild Colonial Boys" which describes the activities and the history of the band. The band is now into its' 32nd year of existence - some have described us as the, "Rolling Stones" of the Folk World. Please take the time to check out this link.

My musical education had involved an awareness of the beauty of Welsh, Scottish and English music; the time I was to spend with Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem introduced me to the genuine Irish Folk Music. I played with Liam and Tommy on two Television Series as well as recording 2 albums and touring extensively. This was another great learning experience!


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- photo by Todd Korol -

Intertwined in all this is the creation of the Calgary Folk Club and the Calgary Folk Festival. In 1972, with the support and enthusiasm of my colleagues in The Wild Colonial Boys, I introduced the Calgary Folk Club to the Calgary music scene. As mentioned earlier, I had learned some of the skills necessary to do this while playing with the Ian Campbell Folk Group who ran the most successful Folk Club in Britain at the time.

Thirty years later The Calgary Folk Club not only still exists but has developed into a musical landmark in Calgary and throughout North America. Please follow the link for more information on The Calgary Folk Club.

The Calgary Folk Festival had its beginnings back in 1979 and for the next eight years I was both the Producer and Artistic Director. I am particularly proud of my contribution to this organization because of both the quality of the acts I presented and because it showed that there exists in Calgary a wonderful depth of talented and dedicated musicians and volunteers.

Throughout all these years of performing, writing, teaching and presenting music, I have always found that Music is to be shared. Music has the power to shape our lives and we have the power to shape our music.

My present position as the Director of the Acoustic Music School in Calgary allows me to continue to show that the gift of music is available to anybody! I teach both individual and group lessons and suggest that you visit this link for further information.

In my musical career I have performed on nineteen albums, appeared on numerous Radio and Television programs, performed in Europe, Canada, the USA and Australia and in my capacity as Artistic Director presented hundreds of acts to Calgary.

Oh, by the way, in my,"other, professional life, I was a teacher specializing in Music with the Calgary Board of Education for thirty two years.

- Mansel Davies
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