Danny Davis, who died on 12 June, 2008, was a musician and bandleader who challenged the popular belief that country fans don't like horns.

His group, the Nashville Brass, combined the lush arrangements of 1970s country with big band jazz to create a unique easy listening style that won him Grammy and Country Music Association awards.

Previously he had been a studio vocalist and producer, working with the likes of Herman's Hermits, Nina Simone, Tony Bennett and Waylon Jennings. He toured with the Nashville Brass until he was 80.

Danny Davis was born George Joseph Nowlan in Dorchester, Massachusetts on 29 April, 1925. He was raised in the town of Randolph as part of a large Irish family. After his father died when George was five, his mother supported them on the proceeds of her piano lessons.

Naturally this led to George showing an early interest in music, though he opted for the trumpet. By 14 he was good enough to play with the state's Symphony Orchestra and earned a place at the New England Conservatory of Music. However, he left after six months when the legendary swing bandleader and drummer Gene Krupa offered him a place in his band.

Over the next two decades he played with many of the best known bands of the era and also sang on several records, releasing some successful singles under his own name which he had long since changed to Danny Davis.

In the late 1950s he relocated to New York to worked as a producer for MGM where he formed a strong working relationship with the acclaimed songwriter Fred Rose. His best work was with the country star Connie Francis who had several hits under Davis' guidance. He also signed Brit invasion band Herman's Hermits to the label.

During this time he began composing and recording pieces for jazz bands and this planted the idea for his country-jazz hybrid in his mind. After moving to RCA in the mid '60s he proposed the idea, but the label were less than impressed. However, when he transferred to the Nashville office, his new boss, Chet Atkins, was enthused by the prospect and encouraged Mr Davis to put together his new band, even naming them.

The sound of Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass essentially replaced vocals with horns, but kept the traditional country rhythm section and the orchestral garnish of the Nashville Sound. They mostly worked with country standards and recent hits as well as a few original numbers.

Despite numerous detractors, within two years of cutting their first album in 1968, the band was so successful that Davis was able to leave his job at RCA. They were in such demand that they purchased their own plane to keep up with their international touring schedule, a schedule that took in slots at Las Vegas and numerous television appearances.

For five years running Nashville Brass took the Country Music Association's 'Best Instrumental Group' prize and they won the equivalent award at the 1970 Grammys. In the 1980s Mr Davis was a member of the Million Dollar Band on the country variety show Hee Haw. The following decade he had a two-year residency at the Stardust Theater in Nashville, a rare interruption to Nashville Brass' touring.

He gave a farewell performance in 2005 then retired to his home in Nashville which he had shared with his wife of six decades, Barbara. They had four children. He died aged 83, five days after suffering a heart attack at home.