Republished From June 2024
You cannot go anywhere in Spokane and say the name Quindrey “Drey” Davis-Murphy without hearing accolades. His connection to the community reverberates across churches, schools, and the Spokane entertainment scene; he was, by all accounts, pure joy and love.
His grandfather, Earon Davis, says that Drey never met a stranger. Using his musical acumen as a self-taught drummer, Drey engaged audiences with talent so profound that he won drum-offs in his youth, played with the Eastern Washington University band for college games while still a student at Cheney High School, jammed with the group Sessionz here in Spokane, became a music teacher at Northwest Christian Academy, performed with Grammy-winning artist Donnie McClurkin and Grammy nominee Allen Stone, and completed his first Broadway musical, Ain’t Too Proud, in 2023. On Saturday, May 11th, Northwest Christian Academy students honored him in the Spokane Junior Lilac Parade, donning shirts that showed him with his sticks doing what he loved to do.
Church roots set the stage for his life, says his mom, Erica Davis. Church is where Drey honed his craft and his faith. It is here that God made room for his gifts. Erica knew that her son was going to be great.
“I used to tell him all the time, almost every day, you’re destined for greatness.”
Drey believed his mother’s words as reflected in his diligence and professionalism in music. Very early, she recognized the magnetic pull Drey had to rhythm, even before he was born.
“I was at a concert in Seattle…and my son, when he heard the drums and the music, I was pregnant, he was rolling and bouncing in my stomach so bad that I had to leave the sanctuary and go outside.”
There was something about the music, even in the womb. Erica sensed then that God was stirring a remarkable gift within her first-born son. When she got calls from the school about him interrupting the learning process through his incessant beat-making, she never skipped a beat to explain that it was his passion. Behavioral labels that often tag young Black boys did not stand a chance in the Davis family because they recognized that what Drey had was extraordinary.
“He would hear beats and melodies in his head all day long. I loved his passion for music.”
Practice towards perfection is what he did, with the support of his family. He was so serious about drumming that even a brief stint in high school football came to a quick end to keep his hands from injury.
Earon remembers the day his young grandson asked him to go to Hoffman Music.
“The man in the store put him on the drum set,”
he recalls. After watching him play, Drey’s talent was unmistakable.
“You might have something here,”
his grandfather recalls.
That day, Earon bought Drey his first drum set. At 5-years-old, Drey played the drums at Disneyland near the entrance as people entered the park. While most kids were probably more interested in cotton candy or shaking Mickey’s hand, Drey found his place in the drummer’s seat. This is one of his mother’s favorite memories.
Outside of drumming, remembering the man that Drey was, you will see a blueprint for passion, dedication, humility, and kindness. His grandfather speaks of how he would go the extra mile to help others, especially when it came to impacting children. There are kids who had given up on music until they worked with Drey. His passion transformed many students’ motivation.
“He was just a likable person. I miss seeing him. He was my oldest grandson…at least every week or every 2 weeks, I have somebody come and say something about him. A lot of the things I was trying to teach him, especially being a young Black male, in this society, in Spokane, he took it to heart. He respected everybody and he wanted everybody to respect him also.”
His grandfather recalls conversations he had with Drey about representing himself and his family name well, treating others how he wanted to be treated and how he would be there as an advocate and protector.
“All my kids, they always know where I am, I always tell them where I am, because if something goes down, I want them to call me.”
When asked what message Drey would share with everyone, his mother says:
“One thing about him, he was loved. Music brought everyone together, from all cultures. One thing he would always say to us as a joke was ‘watch your light.’ He wanted you to be the best you could be, to be a good person. Basically saying ‘watch what you do, be kind to other people, you are a light in this dark world and God is love.’”
Drey loved his family, he loved music, and he loved God. He showed everyone how to live in their purpose, and his legacy will tell this story for many years to come.
Update:
Spokane Unveils Mural Honoring Musician Quindrey “Drey” Davis-Murphy
SPOKANE, Wash. — Family, friends, and community members gathered on July 11, 2026 at 22 W. Main Ave. to unveil a commemorative mural honoring the life and legacy of Spokane musician Quindrey “Drey” Davis-Murphy. Despite gusty winds and summer heat, the celebration drew a crowd determined to ensure that Drey’s light continues to shine over the city he loved.
The permanent mural recognizes Davis-Murphy’s artistry, compassion, and commitment to uplifting others through music and mentorship. Organizers described the tribute as a lasting reminder that a life devoted to serving others never truly fades.
Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson reflected on Davis-Murphy’s roots in the church and the profound impact he made across the community, calling the gathering a celebration of his enduring legacy.
During the ceremony, Wilkerson read a proclamation issued by Mayor Lisa Brown recognizing Davis-Murphy’s contributions to Spokane’s cultural landscape. The proclamation highlighted his work with the Spokane jazz community and numerous local bands, as well as performances alongside Grammy-nominated artists Allen Stone and Teddy Swims and Grammy Award-winning artist Donnie McClurkin. It also recognized Davis-Murphy as a composer, producer, artist, mentor, devoted family member, and man of faith.
The proclamation officially designates July 14, 2026, as “Drey Day” in the City of Spokane, encouraging residents to honor his determination, persistence, achievements, and the unity he fostered through music.
As the mural was revealed, the community celebrated not only the memory of an accomplished musician but also a beloved son of Spokane whose legacy now lives permanently within the city’s landscape and symbolizes rhythm amongst the stars.