Hunter Miles Davis' Journey from Intern to Park Ranger, Musician, and Audio Producer at the National Park Service

Hunter jamming on drums as a Ranger inside NOLA Jazz Museum

Photo courtesy of Eliot Kamenitz/New Orleans Jazz Museums

Hunter Miles Davis found himself at the National Park Service when he came across an internship opportunity through the Greening Youth Foundation in 2018. He knew he wanted to do something with music and decided to take a chance and apply. He was attending Hampton University at the time. The job was at New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park as a music interpreter. Upon completion of his internship, he would be eligible for a Direct-Hire Authority, which allowed him to be considered for a position at New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. This was during his sophomore year of college. He remembers how he had flown down there with his mom. They had visited New Orleans for the first time during Christmas the previous year. While one barrier that might have prevented him from taking this summer job was housing, this job offered it, so he took this 3-month internship.

Hunter on his first day as an intern with New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

NPS Photo

The beauty of an internship is that it gives you the opportunity to learn something new. In college, Hunter had played the piano, drums, and other percussive instruments; for this job, he used his musical talents on the drum set. Some of his favorite artists that had an influence on him were Chris Dave, Robert Glasper, Roy Hargrove, and Gretchen Parlato. He loved learning from the professionals and getting to work with jazz musicians from all different places. These included Herlin Riley, Nicholas Payton, Joe Crown, and others. Famous musicians would come and travel to the park, such as Herlin Riley, Simon Lott, and Ashlin Parker, which gave him the chance to meet and learn from them. In addition, he is proud of the multiple recordings he has been on from working at the park, working on film, and being exposed to music at such an early age. While at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, where he took a second internship with the Greening Youth Foundation in 2019, he got to join the Arrowhead Jazz Band again and has since recorded several recordings with them, many of which are showcased on the park’s website. For his two final projects, he gave a recital and shared his journey of his internship.

Hunter speaking to audience from behind drum set sharing his knowledge on jazz during a Down On Their Luck (a weekly orchestra of the Arrowhead Jazz Band)

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At the age of 23, Hunter has found being a musician to be a steady gig at the park. He is developing his artistry and discovering what kind of musician he wants to be. In July 2021, he became a permanent employee at the park where his journey with the National Park Service began: New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. As an Interpretive Ranger, he gives Ranger talks, oversees projects, including organizing sessions for the Arrowhead Jazz Band and the Down on their Luck Orchestra, filming videos, doing projects featuring audio production, participating in festivals, and taking photos as a park photographer.

Hunter assisting children with drum lessons
during his internship in the NOLA Jazz Location

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On ways the park can get younger people involved, Hunter suggested using social media, particularly Instagram to create videos, reels, and captivating photos that will entice visitors to come visit a park that is dedicated to the history of jazz. Each park preserves its own natural, cultural, and historic resources, and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is no exception.

In spite of the pandemic keeping the park closed for much of the past two years, there are plans for the park to open up again to welcome visitors as they have been since the park opened in 1994. Some of the fun park events Hunter gets to do include Jazz Yoga, inviting visitors to join an African drum and dance circle, and hosting musicians like Jeanette Downing singing the Gumbo with children. As a man of faith, Hunter believes in the scripture Luke 1:37, “With God nothing is impossible.” Living by this quote Hunter plans to conquer everything that is set on his path as a ranger. He is excited to have joined such an elite community of musicians and rangers down in New Orleans as he develops musically, professionally, and personally.

Hunter playing with Baba Luther Grey and Friends for Black History Month

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Want to see Hunter in action? Watch the video below where Hunter shares his journey from intern to ranger. No one person’s path is the same, and that is what makes working for the National Park Service so appealing. The video also include a song featuring the Arrowhead Jazz Band, so stick around at the end to watch Hunter and Jon Beebe (an interpretive park ranger who plays piano, trumpet, and sings). Also be sure to watch Hunter in the most recent event that took place during National Park Week, featuring current and former Corpsmembers and their park stories. Learn more on our event page, and thanks for watching.

Check out the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park on social media (@JazzNHP) and on the park's website.

Duration:

11 minutes, 24 seconds

Watch the video to hear Hunter Miles Davis' journey from Greening Youth Foundation intern to Park Ranger, musician, and audio producer at the National Park Service. He is currently a Park Guide at New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. He has been featured numerous times with the Arrowhead Jazz Band, loves the drums, and has done audio production for the park.