Peter Davis (October 25, 1887 – April 29, 1971)[1] was an American musician who gave musical training to disadvantaged youths, including Louis Armstrong, at the Colored Waifs' Home for Boys in New Orleans, Louisiana.

[1] Professor William J. Nickerson was a performer and educator who taught many New Orleans musicians including Jelly Roll Morton, Sweet Emma Barrett, and Manuel Manetta.

His took first job teaching music when hired as a warden at New Orleans' Colored Waifs' Home for Boys,[1] a juvenile detention institution.

According to Waifs' Home superintendent David Dahlgren, he was proficient on multiple instruments and familiar with brass band and dance music.

[1] Louis Armstrong arrived at the Waifs' Home for the second time in early 1913, after his New Year's Eve arrest for shooting a pistol into the air.

[5] Among the many musicians who studied music with Peter Davis at the Waifs' Home and later were Kid Shots Madison, Frank Lastie, Champion Jack Dupree, Dave Bartholomew,[6] and Charles "Hungry" Williams.

Referring to founding director Captain Joseph Jones and Peter Davis, DuBois stated the institution was led by "two very estimable Christian persons doing their best to reform boys."

Stephen C. Picou, assistant director of the Louisiana Music Commission called Davis, "a strong, caring, and overlooked giant in New Orleans' history.

[6] After his retirement Davis volunteered as a scoutmaster in New Orleans' black communities, taking boys on camping trips and hikes, and taught music to any who were interested.