“Davina Sowers creates her own Americana mishmash — a little Amy Winehouse-worthy neo-soul here, a little Great American Songbook-influenced songcraft there.”  Rolling Stone Magazine

​

“Davina and the Vagabonds combat heartache with sugar and sass."  DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

 

Davina & The Vagabonds bring high-energy vintage music into the modern spotlight, blending jazz, blues, and soul with a flair that feels both timeless and fiercely alive. Led by powerhouse vocalist and pianist Davina Sowers, the band has built an international reputation for electrifying performances, razor-sharp musicianship, and undeniable charisma.

Founded in Minneapolis, the group quickly rose from local favorite to global touring act, captivating audiences across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. Their sound draws from early New Orleans jazz, swing, blues, and soul, infused with contemporary storytelling and dynamic arrangements. At the heart of it all is Davina’s commanding voice and expressive piano style, which anchor every performance with emotion, grit, and grace.

Known for their rotating, horn-driven lineup and explosive live shows, Davina & The Vagabonds turn every stage into a celebration. From intimate listening rooms to major festivals and concert halls, they create a deep connection with audiences through joyful rhythms, heartfelt ballads, and irresistible grooves.

With multiple acclaimed recordings, millions of streams, and a devoted international following, the band continues to evolve while staying rooted in authenticity. Their music honors tradition without nostalgia, delivering classic sounds through a bold, modern lens.

Whether performing originals or reimagining timeless favorites, Davina & The Vagabonds offer a show that is soulful, sophisticated, and unforgettable—an experience that leaves audiences uplifted, inspired, and wanting more.

 

Much like the music, the story spurns era, expectation, and classification. The often unbelievable, sometimes harrowing, and wholly inspiring journey of Davina Sowers gave birth to her eponymous band Davina and The Vagabonds in 2004. As the tale goes, she grew up in the economically depressed Allegheny town of Altoona, PA, which she now describes as “awesome in the industrial era, but horrible for high school.” She was adopted by her much older stepfather when he was in his 80s; he passed away when she was just 13. Through him and his Edison phonograph, she first heard The Ink Spots, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong and Louis Prima, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and many others. “Great man. He was my angel and still is,” she says.

 

On her own, she vividly recalls hours in front of the record player where she religiously spun Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Simon and Garfunkel records belonging to her folk singer mom.

 

To this day, Davina still refers to music as “my first and eternal love.” Despite early dalliances with classical piano and guitar, she developed a heavy drug habit in high school, which morphed into heroin dependency, left her homeless, sent her in and out of jail, and brought on all manner of trouble. Kicking dope on the streets, she “got clean, started the band, and worked [her] ass off every day since.”

 

Davina and the Vagabonds shine every time they play. To date, they’ve performed in forty-five states, twelve European countries, and two Canadian provinces. Not to mention, they’ve earned feverish acclaim from the Chicago Tribune, NPR, and more in addition to performing on BBC’s international favorite late-night program Later… With Jools Holland and appearing on PBS’s Bluegrass Underground.