At just 29 years old, our guest on this episode of Mixtape Memoir is a critically hailed and award-winning British jazz composer, saxophonist and bandleader who has already been playing the saxophone for 20 years - an instrument that has now become so second nature that, as she tells us, it feels like an extension of her body. And likewise, the music Nubya Garcia has been drawn to, and now writes and plays, is all about where it hits you.

Growing up in London, Nubya was classically trained and played a few instruments early on before she found the one that felt right. Once she found her instrument, it took a moment before Nubya Garcia was introduced to jazz and it was then that her musical path clicked into place. With the help of incredible teachers, youth jazz bands, and then an especially profound experience at a program called Tomorrow’s Warriors, Nubya Garcia began her quick rise to becoming one of the most buzzed about and exciting jazz musicians and recording artists to come out of the burgeoning new London jazz scene. In 2017 and 2018, Nubya put out her first EP’s, quickly followed by an album with the all-female jazz septet Nerija in 2019.

Last year, Source, her full length debut was released on the legendary Concord Jazz label, and went on to top nearly every year-end best of list in 2020. With an already impressive list of collaborators, and accolades to her name, and her undeniable gift and talent, it is certain that the long career ahead of Nubya Garcia will be exciting for us all.  

Credits:

Host/creator - Carmel Holt @carmelholt @sheroesmixtape @sheroesradio
Producer, Engineer/Mixing/Mastering - Mitra Kaboli
Theme music - Lucius @ilovelucius
Cover Illustration - Giselle Potter @gisellepotter 
Guest: Nubya Garcia / @nubya_garcia
Label: Concord Jazz / @concordjazz @concordrecords @concordofficial