Nubya Garcia’s Odyssey

Multi-award-winning tenor saxophonist, bandleader, composer, and Trinity Laban alum Nubya Garcia’s new album, Odyssey, came out in Autumn last year. She is now touring the album in Europe and the UK, culminating in a hometown show at London’s iconic KOKO venue in Camden this Thursday 13 March.

“It represents the notion of truly being on your own path, and trying to discard all the outside noise saying you should go this way or that way,” comments Trinity Laban jazz alum Nubya Garcia on her new studio album Odyssey. Since graduating from conservatoire, she’s sold out Ronnie Scott’s multiple times, played Glastonbury and the BBC Proms, and her debut album Source won a Mercury Prize nomination. Her recent record Odyssey is a beautiful blend of jazz, reggae, dub, neo soul, and R&B, complemented by cinematic strings and exquisite vocals. The album features her core quartet of Joe Armon-Jones (also pianist of Ezra Collective), Daniel Casimir on double bass, and Sam Jones on drums. It includes collaborations with five-time Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding, renowned singer Georgia Anne Muldrow, KOKORO’s multi-talented Richie Seivwright, and Chineke! Orchestra.

Odyssey is universally acclaimed, described as “rich, challenging, and inspiring” by Pitchfork, “a rich, orchestral journey of self-discovery” by The Guardian, “a landmark offering” by The Line of Best Fit, “an inspiring sonic leap forward” by Jazzwise, and “majestic and thrilling” by Rolling Stone. The UK leg of Nubya’s Odyssey tour culminates in her show at London’s KOKO venue this week, before she continues her world tour in North America. Fellow Trinity Laban alum Marysia Osu, who released her ethereal debut alum harp, beats & drums last year, opened for Nubya’s shows in Manchester, Glasgow, and Brighton.