“Imagine David Bowie producing a show featuring Sam Cooke songs as played by the Dirty Projectors.” Translated from Sanskrit, Maitri (”my tree”) is an unconditional friendship and acceptance of yourself that extends outward to the world. This group was formed by Caroline Davis (voice/woodwinds) to embrace both the hardship and ecstasy of life through song, and it is now a collective songwriting outlet for both herself and Ben Hoffmann (voice/keyboards). Featuring driving keyboards and a powerful rhythm section led by Sam Weber (bass) and Jay Sawyer (drums), Maitri incorporates a heavy dose of soul and R&B, while also drawing upon indie influences. A unique sound in the Brooklyn musical landscape, Maitri is the soundtrack for the inevitable ushering in of the new world order.
The leader is saxophonist Caroline Davis: Mobile since her birth in Singapore, composer, saxophonist, and educator Caroline Davis now lives in Brooklyn, New York. After making her mark on the Chicago jazz community during her 8-year stint there, she moved to New York in 2013, and has proven to be an active leader and sidewoman in the national jazz scene.