Josephine Davies & the Ensō ensemble – The Celtic Wheel of the Year Suite

It’s a monumental work that Scottish saxophonist and composer Josephine Davies presents us here: an eight-movement suite inspired by the cycle of the seasons.

What immediately strikes one listening to this opus is the density of the sound mass. An eminently malleable ensemble of seventeen musicians, in which the influence of Maria Schneider, among others, can be detected. It is essentially this ensemble that is highlighted here, with solos limited to one or two per track.

The leader herself limits herself to a single chorus, and only pianist Alcyona Mick allows herself two. For the rest, it’s an abundance of writing that dominates, writing that is both powerful and refined, often melodic, that swells or ebbs like the waves of the sea.

The ensemble is not conducted like a traditional big band, and the instruments are not used in sections.

On the contrary, what predominates is the highlighting in turn of the different timbres, which are at other times called upon as an overall sound mass, sometimes mellow, sometimes rougher, not least behind the solos. These are all of the highest quality, and it’s clear that each musician has been chosen for his or her specific sound, which works wonders in both solo and tutti performances.

This is an excellent example of the very best that the British jazz scene has to offer, and we can only hope that this large ensemble will one day perform in France.