Caden Davis (director of the BCMP) is an avid composer, arranger, educator, conductor, and multi-instrumentalist. He is a passionate advocate of all things music, eager to find methods and projects that combine all of his passions into one creative space!

Davis is a founding member of Pamwe Marimba: a nationally-touring marimba ensemble specializing in a fusion of traditional and contemporary Zimbabwean music as well as their own compositions. In Pamwe, he plays marimba, guitar, trumpet, and mbira. Davis was also a member of the nationally-touring marimba band Polyphony Marimba (based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico) with which he appeared in over 90 performances nation-wide over the course of two seven-week tours in 2021 and 2023. This included performances in New York City (Washington Square Park; Union Square), Chicago, Washington D.C., and St. Louis.

As a guitarist, Davis and his colleagues from the Lionel Hampton School of Music in Moscow, ID, founded No Soap, Radio: a fusion band spanning from pocket-heavy funk to progressive metal. He served as one of the band’s primary composers/arrangers. 

As an educator, Davis is an internationally in-demand teacher of Zimbabwean marimba music and has taught workshops in Idaho, Washington, California, Alaska, Missouri, Illinois, and Vancouver Island, B.C. He has also taught private lessons on various instruments. He directed the Moscow Marimba Lions program from 2017-2021 in Moscow, ID. Since moving to Western Washington in 2023, he has been a marimba teacher at the Rubatano Studio in Langley, WA. He also founded the Bellingham Community Marimba Project in late 2024. In fall 2025, Davis founded the Western Washington University ZimMarimba Ensemble.

As a composer and arranger, Davis’ work has been performed all over the U.S. by his marimba ensembles, as well as having work featured by the University of Idaho Vandal Marching Band and the University of Idaho Jazz Band I. In 2023, he received his first composition commission from the North Idaho College Wind Symphony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their ensemble.

As a recording artist, Davis appeared on Pamwe’s debut self-titled album (and served as the primary arranger). Additionally, he appeared on Polyphony Marimba’s 2021 album, Benediction, as well as No Soap, Radio’s first two albums (2022 & 2023).

Davis earned a Bachelor’s degree in Trumpet Performance from the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho in 2021, studying under Dr. Sean Butterfield and Dr. Vern Sielert. He will graduate with his Master’s in Music Education from Western Washington University in 2026, after studying with Dr. Patty Bourne.

He lives in Bellingham, Washington with his partner, Kristen, and his adorable kitty, Moo. He enjoys playing and teaching marimba with his local community and exploring diverse musics from around the world. In his free time, he loves to hike, be with friends, and cheer on the Los Angeles Chargers.