Saxophonist Caroline Davis holds a spirit in her music that calls in the ineffable; she invites it inward, transforming it from one realm to another, where the reality of time fades. In her debut solo release of saxophone and electronics, Caroline weaves shadowed beauty & subterranean boldness into 12 tracks that hold the listener tightly, navigating waters of the invisible. Caroline wrote and improvised the music on Fallows in Ucross, Wyoming during an artist residency that afforded ample time, remote space, and mindfully prepared food; aspects of life that many artists consider luxuries. It’s not an accident that the Ucross Foundation was created in 1981, the same year Caroline was born – it’s clear that the surrounding land impacted her process. Sites of buffalo / bison jumps from 500 years ago, where natives drove these massive animals into natural sinkholes as a hunting practice; and, sounds from Piney Creek, the body of water adorning Jesse’s One studio lead her to ask, “Did people hundreds of years ago jump from rock to rock to reach the other side, like I did? What animals drank from these waters, what did they sound like?” Ucross was been declared an important bird area, and listeners will hear curlews, grouses, western meadowlarks, mountain bluebirds on this recording. Davis has been building her use of electronics since 2006 in Chicago with instrumental rock band, Zing! and alongside artists who have expanded her path through her years of performing, such as Nicole Mitchell, Craig Taborn, Matt Mitchell, Rena Anakwe, Dani Mekonnen, and Joni Void. For this release, she utilizes Critter and Guitari’s Organelle, a processing and beat-making machine. “What I find compelling about the Organelle and its forums is the open-source generosity. I care deeply about community building, and I have found that in the network of people who design patches for this device.” The 12 tracks on Fallows stretch the sonic possibilities of the saxophone; the instrument is a vessel for her unfettered dreams. Reflecting upon the momentary space from which this music was made, Caroline wields the word Fallows, uncultivated land, not far from Oliver’s reminiscences of unobservable mysteries. Fallows is set for release on March 27, 2026 on Ropeadope.
I had the chance to catch up with friend of the program, Caroline Davis about this special album. We got into the process that helped her find moments of rest to soak in all that was around her, and really listen and feel it. This is a story where the where you are is so key to the sonic landscape finding its way out into the world, with mother nature as almost a guide. We talk about this being her first solo record and her influences (such as Geri Allen) that she carries with her constantly as well as well as her finding her own space being an artists using her instrument with electronics to be a one person storyteller. I also get to learn a little more about the track that really soaked into my soul after a first listen. Knowing Caroline’s zest for fairness & equality (something we have in common), I wanted to get a sense of how it feels to be working with the folks at Ropeadope. They are also not just believers in the art, but the artists themselves as people and are on that same path seeking fairness, equality and justice. Click on the link above and have this music set aside for when you need it most. It will end up feeling you as much as you feel it.
Photo: Adi Meyerson
