Despite being one of the biggest names in contemporary UK jazz, and a seasoned touring musician in her own right, this was Nubya Garcia’s first time performing with her band in bonnie Scotland. Perhaps that’s why, for many, the tenor saxophonist’s set was the anticipated highlight of the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival programme. 

This anticipation was evident, as a sold-out audience waited silently and intentionally long before Garcia stepped on stage. At first this extreme attentiveness put Garcia on edge. ‘It’s bare quiet in here. I’m not used to this!’ she said in her lilting South London accent, letting a few nerves show. But the silence didn’t last long, as cheers and hollers began to commend each soloist, before the George Square Spiegeltent erupted entirely into applause after every tune. 

Playing material mostly from her debut 2022 album Source, Garcia introduced her compositions and band (made up of Sam Jones on drums, Daniel Casimir on double bass and Deschanel Gordon on keys) with charisma, charm and professionalism. A live version of ‘La Cumbia Me Esta Llamando’ from Source’s accompanied remix album was a particular highlight, as well as new songs ‘Triumphance’ and an unnamed work-in-progress track. ‘I don’t really believe in writing setlists. I don’t like to be constrained,’ she says at one point, before seemingly plucking a number out of thin air and performing it with stellar precision and heart. Her signature epic builds of bending, sustained notes were plentiful and energetic, while songs like ’Stand With Each Other’ showed the band’s more delicate side.

As the non-existent setlist continued and Garcia deepened her relationship with the audience (‘I’m inviting you all to dance and express yourself freely’ she insisted a couple of songs in), the obliging crowd settled into the room and gave in more to dance. A recurring reggae rhythm, featured in songs like ‘Source’, became Garcia’s theme on stage, setting the tempo to her iconic swagger and groove that runs so deep it seems to ooze from her pores. ‘This is dance music at the end of the day,’ she said to a tent full of smiling faces, ready to be moulded like putty in her hands.

Reviewed on Thursday 21 July at George Square Spiegeltent. Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival runs until Sunday 24 July.