Josephine Davies director 
Matt Skelton curator
Guildhall Big Band 

The first half of the performance will highlight key figures in the world of big band including Mary Lou Williams and Melba Liston. The second half will feature Davies’ own compositions including a world premiere of ‘Gaya’s Breath’ written in 2020 and work by composers who influenced the writing. 

Winner of the 2019 Parliamentary Award ‘Jazz Instrumentalist of the year’’ Josephine Davies is a musical artist at the forefront of the UK contemporary music scene, pushing the boundaries of jazz. 

Her unique voice is a blend of classical, jazz and folk music, creating an intensely dynamic sound infused with the Nordic quality of her Shetland roots. Deeply influenced by the American composer Maria Schneider, Josephine was resident composer and tenor player for the London Jazz Orchestra from 2011–2016, and now has her own big band ‘The Enso Ensemble’.