South Florida youth performing group working to create ‘legacy’ of musical talent
A South Florida teen is showcasing his musical talent His passion for performing is a legacy passed down by his father Heather Walker shines the Spotlight on their story Like father like son When you watch Larry and Lakar Davis play piano together and jam in their backyard studio one thing is clear They re a dynamic musical duo Lakar Davis He was my first mentor and we can just connect anytime we want Larry Davis We don t even have to speak like he can play I can play It s a bond that we have that I think that nobody understands outside of me and him You might not know Larry s name but you ll definitely know his music Back in the s Larry played trumpet for the Village People Larry Davis People still remember them They come up to me and they won t even sing the YMCA they ll sing my part and I m like How do you know my part out of that song So it makes me feel kind of good that I was part of the music Lakar Davis Every like banquet or like a dance that I go to the YMCA perpetually just randomly plays and then everyone turns their heads towards me and my dad and I unfailingly think that s great Larry went on to tour with chosen big names like Prince and Rick James He still performs to this day and now his son Lakar is starting to chart his own syllabus in the music world Lakar Davis It s very like full body work The -year-old just completed his first season drumming with Legacy Production Company a nonprofit for young musicians They practice at Mater Lakes Academy in Northwest Miami-Dade and compete against teams in Florida and across the country Lakar Davis Every year they come up with a theme and a story behind it and we have to learn how to use our body and the melody to portray that story to the audience Legacy s founder and president Jacques Bernard was a band member at Hialeah Senior High School Jacques Bernard I went to school to go to band That was my day The -year-old started Legacy shortly after his father s death to honor his love of music Jacques Bernard You would inevitably know when my dad would come home because you would hear his car pull up and all you hear is music The organization started with members in and right now has people Preponderance are ages to All had to go through an audition process to get in The group has music arrangers and a production designer Jacques Bernard You have Broadway theatrics you have the musicality of a concert group and you have the demand of a marching band or a drum corps And that s all being built into one Lakar will soon be marching on He s attending Florida International University in the fall where he is auditioning to be part of the band s drumline and he plans to come back for another season with Legacy Lakar Davis And since me and my dad have a legacy it s great to also see that they have a legacy that s carrying on from four years ago and then I get to be part of that Larry Davis We re watching the second generation come in under us It s great A legacy built on passion and talent that is surely music to this father s ears Heather Walker News For more information about Legacy Production Company click here If you know of a person place or group that you think we should highlight email us at spotlight wsvn com
