The Upful LIFE Podcast

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High-brow conversations with movers n’ shakers in the music industry, and beyond. Exploring diverse realms of sound art and festival culture, with a decided focus on inspiration and human resilience. Hosted by music journalist B.Getz

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Sunday Apr 13, 2025

086: NUBYA GARCIA [U.K.-based saxophonist/composer]

Sunday Apr 13, 2025

A supreme honor & privilege to welcome scintillating saxophonist/composer NUBYA GARCIA to Episode 086. At the dawn of her first US headlining tour, the UK-based sorceress was kind enough to tap in for a deep, insightful chat on a smattering of salient topics with numerous delightful detours. Your humble narrator has been paying rather close attention to this dynamic, shape-shifting artist since she unveiled 2020 debut full-length LP SOURCE. In 2024, Garcia blasted back with the otherworldly sophomore sensation ODYSSEY, a multi-hued document that delivers different shades than its prodigous predecessor.

For just under an hour, Nubya Garcia unspools the passions and pathways that manifested this magnificent new record. Exploring the vision, compositions, and inspirations that made ODYSSEY spring to vibrant life, plus the exhilarating experience of conducting a chamber orchestra for the first time - while recording in a church no less! Nubya discusses her foray into spoken word, recalling a humorous story tracking vocals in Brazil. She later revisits the genetic codes, cross-pollinations and hybrid strains native to the majestic SOURCE. We explore the symbiosis between club culture and her sound art; Ms. Garcia reflects on the impact of NPR's Tiny Desk Concert appearance(s), her lengthy relationships and crucial collaborations with a loyal cadre of co-conspirators including Joe Armon-Jones, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Mala, DJ Harrison (Butcher Brown), and beyond.

0:00 - Ep.086 preview
3:15 - Sponsor: Just Schwandering NOLA JazzFest
5:50 - Sponsor: CORNFLOWER Ka-BLOOM! Tour
8:20 - The Upful Update
12:15 - Introducing: NUBYA GARCIA
16:40 - INTERVIEW w/ Nubya [54 mins]
1:11:40 - afterglow > ViBE Junkie JAMZ

Nubya Garcia bio (courtesy of Concord Jazz):

"Nubya Garcia isn’t an artist you can easily classify. Is it jazz? Sure, the London-born saxophonist, composer and bandleader grew up studying the genre under the noted pianist Nikki Yeoh at Camden Music. But it isn’t until you listen to albums like 2020’s Source and 2024’s Odyssey that you hear broader creativity shining through: It’s jazz, classical, dub, R&B and whatever else Garcia wants to convey. It all comes from a place of exploration and self-study, of wanting to do all the things across all disciplines while ignoring arbitrary boxes that don’t fit.

Garcia’s sophomore album Odyssey released via Concord Jazz. A majestic feat on which she blends orchestral arrangements with R&B, jazz, broken beat and dub, resulting in a grand, nuanced record that feels airy and celestial without sacrificing the groove. It’s a deeply personal offering about her trek to falling back in love with musical composition over the past four years."

Big Thanks to Mick & the Nubya team for making this conversation possible!