Josephine Davies continues to assert her unique presence across the crowded landscape of international jazz with ‘How Can We Wake?’ from the acclaimed trio project that she has been developing since 2016 under the name of Satori.

This latest iteration reunites her with two of the UK’s most uncategorisable talents: both Dave Whitford on bass and James Maddren on drums combine a fearsome level of accomplishment with a fearless appetite for improvisation that makes them the perfect partners in this venture.

‘Satori’ is a Buddhist word meaning a moment of presence and inner spaciousness away from the clutter of thought, and this recording captures a particular moment of presence as the band perform a suite of pieces, poised in the space between composition and the mindful spontaneity of collective improvisation, before a rapt audience at the Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town. Taking the writings of the Indian sage Patanjali as an inspiration, Davies created the pieces for ‘How Can We Wake?’ as sets of melodic and rhythmic parameters for the trio to explore in the heat of the present moment.
On this remarkable recording Satori combine forces to create an inner space filled with melody, rhythmic freedom and empathetic interplay. The resulting powerful combination of fearless free improvisation and melodic empathy from these gifted players creates a powerful and timely statement. Personnel: Josephine Davies (tenor and soprano saxophones), Dave Whitford (double bass), James Maddren (drums)