Spotlight On: NUBYA GARCIA

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S SHERO IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Critically hailed and award winning British jazz composer, saxophonist and bandleader Nubya Garcia went through a few instruments early on before she found the one that felt right. But even though she found her instrument by age 10, Nubya was classically trained, and it wasn’t until she was introduced to jazz that her musical path clicked into place. With the help of incredible teachers, youth jazz bands, and most of all, an experience at a London based youth jazz development program called Tomorrow’s Warriors, Nubya Garcia began her journey to becoming one of the most buzzed about and exciting jazz musicians and recording artists to recently come out of the burgeoning new London jazz scene. Her first band, the all-female jazz septet Nerija put out their debut Blume in 2019, while Nubya simultaneously released a pair of EP’s in 2017 and 2018. And last year, her full-length debut Source topped nearly every year-end best of list of 2020. Add to that a non stop touring schedule over the past six years, and it’s a wonder that Nubya had any time to sleep. Now, as a result of this pandemic year, Nubya is rested and recharged, and I caught up with her from her home in London to chat with us about her journey, the new album, and the importance of home and community. Nubya Garcia is this week’s SHERO In The Spotlight.

Our playlist features lots of sounds from the UK - new music from Garbage, Dry Cleaning, and classic PJ Harvey. Plus a new Spanish language song by Kali Uchis, a fun new song by Japanese quartet CHAI off their upcoming third album WINK, and a new favorite from Lake Street Dive, off their new album Obviously. 

One song brings together two of this week’s SHERO birthdays - Loretta Lynn and Margo Price - and we also celebrate Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray’s birthday.