The jazz community has been incredibly responsible for major contributions to social justice, for doing civil rights work even before certain movements were created. Through coded lyrics by blues singers like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, to Nina Simone’s impactful lyrics in “Mississippi Goddam” and “Young, Gifted, and Black,” inspired by Lorraine Hansberry’s words, to Max Roach’s “Freedom Now Suite,” to Terri Lyne Carrington’s recent gathering, “Music for Abolition,” jazz and creative musicians have always been present, creating artistic works to protest injustice and speak truth to power. Caroline Davis’s first social justice album, “Alula: Captivity,” situates her compositions alongside the lives of eight heroes who kept hope alive through incarceration. Davis’ album stands on the shoulders of her influences and provides creative insight into the injustices present in the system of incarceration in America. Caroline and her Alula ensemble highlight the undeniable strength of those who have been, and some who are still, incarcerated. “Captivity” live will feature live visuals and spoken word on prison abolition.

Caroline Davis alto saxophone, electronics
Chris Tordini bass
Jason Nazary drums, electronics
Qasim Naqvi modular synth
Nitcha Fame live visuals

A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing. Watch below or on YouTube.

Caroline Davis is a sound artist whose expression covers a wide range of styles, owed to her shifting environment as a child. She has released six albums and has won Downbeat Critics Poll Rising Star. She has worked with many artists, including Lee Konitz, John Zorn, Angelica Sanchez, The Femme Jam, Rajna Swaminathan, and Terry Riley. Caroline has been a resident fellow at MacDowell, The Jazz Gallery, The Rockefeller Estate, and ICE Ensemble Evolution, and was a recipient of Jerome Hill, CMA, and NYFA fellowships. She is an advocate for gender equity and carceral justice.