Skip to main content
A combination of dub reggae and spiritual jazz has been so seemingly under-explored
concert

Nubya Garcia 5 stars
Barbican London

Nubya Garcia’s debut EP, Nubya’s 5ive, released in 2017, combined the tough breakbeats of London’s urban music scene with the dynamic sensibility of her jazz forebears, and established her place as one of her generation’s leading jazz musicians.

Three years on, and her much-anticipated debut album pushes this same combination into yet more accomplished and innovative territory. It is an album, she told the New York Times recently, focused on the themes of “personal power, collective power, collectivism,” and this is her first concert since its release.

Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
nubya
Live Music Review / 19 March 2025
19 March 2025
GEORGE FOGARTY is mesmerised by the messages made when jazz is played by people who grew up steeped in jungle and hip-hop
lee
Comedy / 10 February 2025
10 February 2025
GEORGE FOGARTY applauds a show that punches down alt-right-friendly comedy
monet
Interview / 9 October 2024
9 October 2024
George Fogarty speaks to US Surrealist Blues poet AJA MONET
Diz
Gig Review / 30 May 2024
30 May 2024
This is music that brings the party, the catharsis and the love all at once, says GEORGE FOGARTY 
Similar stories
nubya
Live Music Review / 19 March 2025
19 March 2025
GEORGE FOGARTY is mesmerised by the messages made when jazz is played by people who grew up steeped in jungle and hip-hop
zara
Jazz album review / 19 March 2025
19 March 2025
MARK TURNER is thrilled by the the British singer’s tribute to the late great Sarah Vaughan
roella
Interview / 22 January 2025
22 January 2025
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to British Nigerian/Jamaican pianist ROELLA OLORO
searle
Interview / 21 August 2024
21 August 2024
CHRIS SEARLE speaks to South African pianist NDUDUZO MAKHATINI