Born in Brazil, Indiana, into a family of musicians, Davis developed an interest in music during his childhood.

[2] Davis's work with bands led him to discover and develop his ability as a scat singer.

From the mid 1930s, he worked with Fred Waring as a musician and vocalist, and his success during this time led him to Hollywood.

He appeared in fifteen films, including Campus Cinderella (1938), Cowboy from Brooklyn (1938), Brother Rat (1938), Mr. Chump (1938), A Child Is Born (1939) and Sarong Girl (1943).

[3] Davis continued to work in the music industry throughout the 1940s and 1950s and spent several years in Detroit, Michigan, where he was a popular television performer.