Within London’s blossoming jazz scene, tenor saxophonist Nubya Garcia is a creative force. From playing in a trio with Theon Cross (Sons Of Kemet) and regularly collaborating with Ezra Collective (lead by Gorillaz’ live band drummer Femi Koleoso), to releasing her Mercury-nominated debut album Source in 2020, Garcia’s identifiably rich tone is central to the recent evolution of UK jazz.

Her debut album’s release may have coincided with a global pandemic, but having recently arrived back on UK soil after touring the US with psych funk trio Khruangbin (just in time to make her Glastonbury set), Garcia is finally able to play the record live.

^{Picture: Adama Jalloh}

‘The core meaning of the songs have not changed,’ she explains, ‘but the arrangements and structure change at every show.’ Her regular band, made up of Joe Armon-Jones on keys, Sam Jones on drums and Daniel Casimir on double bass, are a tight group of musicians consistently able to maintain dynamism on stage. ‘We stay engaged by continuously challenging each other musically and never playing a song the same way twice,’ states Garcia. ‘Each one brings 100% to what they do and contribute enormously to the music. I think “wow” all the time when I hear them.’ As someone who spends a lot of time playing with other musicians, what does Garcia look for in a collaborator? ‘Someone who isn’t afraid to explore melding genres. Someone who can listen and is open to new ideas that might seem left of centre.’ It may come as no surprise, then, that Garcia’s music is a unique blend of grooves and textures that fuse American jazz with Afro-Caribbean and Latin rhythms, something she attributes partially to her Guyanese heritage.

‘Having South American roots I am heavily influenced by Latin sounds. I also spent some time in Colombia just before lockdown, where I first met multi-instrumentalist Diana San Miguel of La Perla, a young trio celebrating the nation’s traditional music. I soaked up the sounds of Cali and Bogotá and stayed with celebrated cantora Nidia Góngora, a custodian of Afro-Colombian music and culture. That’s where "La Cumbia Me Está Llamando” was recorded.’ That song, featuring La Perla, translates to ‘La Cumbia (a traditional Colombian dance) Is Calling Me’. Garcia frequently writes with a deep level of introspection on topics of identity, as witnessed in tracks like ‘Inner Game’ (also on Source). Explaining the story behind that song, she says, ‘it’s about the psychology of music and creativity, and takes its cue from books The Inner Game Of Tennis and The Inner Game Of Music, which focus on overcoming nervousness and self-doubt. Most musicians will be fighting themselves at some point. I’ve definitely fought myself and somewhat come out the other side. [The song] is about that inner push and pull inside yourself that nobody can see but plays out in so many things that you do, whether you’re aware of it or not.’

Garcia first picked up the tenor saxophone at ten years old. ‘I was drawn to the distinctive sound it made. Then Dexter Gordon became one of my huge influences in my teens.’ Also citing Alice Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner as her favourite jazz artists (‘there are too many to mention’), Garcia displays a strong respect and admiration for the greats that came before her. But a lesson she tries to pass on to aspiring musicians is ‘not to box yourself into a genre; or maybe what others define jazz to be.’ She promises her Edinburgh performance will be ‘dynamic, surprising and fun’, and we’re certain she’ll practise what she preaches, bringing an audience powerful compositions, classic musicianship and cross-genre flare.

Nubya Garcia, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, George Square Spiegeltent, 21 July, 9.30pm.