Jazz, Caribbean heritage and cinema: Nubya Garcia, the revelation of the Nice Jazz Fest

In Nubya Garcia's career, the Nice Jazz Fest is an important event. In 2019, she had already taken part, at the Théâtre de Verdure, a little before Christian McBride. This year, she was back, on the same stage, and the American double bassist was still scheduled later in the night. A nice nod. "I remember this date very well, the concert was great. It's good to be back," she explained to us last Saturday, a bottle of energy drink in hand.

In five years, the saxophonist has come a long way. After Source , a remarkable album, she presented Odyssey , in 2024. "I'm very happy to see that it's moving forward, I never take anything for granted," continues the 34-year-old Londoner.

Given that female instrumentalists operating as leaders are still not legion, we ask her how the switch took place in her mind. "Actually, I was very happy being a sidewoman. I must have been in seven or eight bands. And then I started playing a few gigs on my own, contacting friends to join me. Then I started writing music. It was a natural, very slow process."

After Montreux and Nice, Newport

Perhaps it's time for Nubya Garcia, whose mother is from Guyana and whose father has roots in Trinidad and Tobago, to make the most of her influences, which range from 1960s spiritual jazz to Afrobeat and Caribbean sounds, including reggae. "I try to be as open as possible when I listen and create. I feel like someone who would walk into a library and read tons of books, from different genres and eras. I guide the music, but I also let the melody and harmony carry me."

During this beautiful summer, which has already taken her to Montreux and Nice, Nubya Garcia will also have the opportunity to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival, a temple of the blues. With a clear head, she will also think about her soundtrack composition projects. After working on the series Ted Lasso and Atlanta , as well as the video game Fortnite , she would like to repeat the experience with even more ambition, probably for the cinema. "I have a lot of ideas. And not necessarily in the register where you might expect me."