February 20, 1951:
Anthony Curtis Davis is born in Paterson, New Jersey, the son of Charles T. Davis, an English teacher who, in 1955, will become the first African-American professor at Princeton University.
July 22, 1955:
Princeton University announces the appointment of its first African-American professor, Dr. Charles T. Davis. He is the father of Anthony Davis (4).
December 15, 1984:
Wayang V for piano and orchestra by Anthony Davis (33) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco the composer at the keyboard and John Adams (37) conducting.
October 9, 1985:
X : the Life and Times of Malcolm X, an opera by Anthony Davis (34) to words of Davis, Davis, and Levine, is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia. See 28 September 1986.
October 31, 1985:
Wayang VI for piano duet by Anthony Davis (34) is performed for the first time, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
September 28, 1986:
X: the Life and Times of Malcolm X, an opera by Anthony Davis (35) to words of Davis, Davis, and Levine, is performed (officially) for the first time, in New York. See 9 October 1985.
April 24, 1988:
Notes from Underground for orchestra by Anthony Davis (37) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
June 15, 1989:
Under the Double Moon, an opera by Anthony Davis (38) to words of Atherton, is performed for the first time, in St. Louis.
May 4, 1990:
Lost Moon Sisters for soprano and ten players by Anthony Davis (39) to words of DiPrima is performed for the first time, in New York.
February 3, 1991:
Sonata for violin and piano by Anthony Davis (39) is performed for the first time, in New York.
November 17, 1991:
Voyage Through Death to Life Upon These Shores by Anthony Davis (40) to words of R. Haydn is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.
June 2, 1992:
Litany of Sins for orchestra by Anthony Davis (41) is performed for the first time, in New York.
June 14, 1992:
Tania, an opera by Anthony Davis (41) to words of LaChiusa, is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
July 28, 1992:
It Was... for soprano and five players by Anthony Davis (41) to words of Saner is performed for the first time, in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
May 25, 1995:
ESU Variations for orchestra by Anthony Davis (44) is performed for the first time, in Atlanta.
November 17, 1995:
Pale Grass and Blue, and then Red, a ballet by Anthony Davis (44) to a choreography by Lemon, is performed for the first time, in New York.
November 20, 1995:
Happy Valley Blues for violin, guitar, and double bass by Anthony Davis (44) is performed for the first time, at Pennsylvania State University.
May 15, 1996:
Anthony Davis (45) receives the award of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
October 3, 1997:
Jacob’s Ladder for orchestra by Anthony Davis (46) is performed for the first time, in Kansas City.
November 29, 1997:
Amistad, an opera by Anthony Davis (46) to words of T. Davis, is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
October 30, 1998:
Tales (Tails) of the Signifying Monkey for orchestra by Anthony Davis (47) is performed for the first time, in Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh.
August 12, 1999:
Goddess Variations for piano by Anthony Davis (48) is performed for the first time, in Lincoln Center, New York by the composer.
February 7, 2009:
Amistad Symphony for mezzo-soprano and orchestra by Anthony Davis (57) is performed for the first time, in La Jolla, California.