MR. NEWS BLENDING AFROBEAT AND JAZZ SOUNDS

How Artists Like Nubya Garcia Are Blending Afrobeat and Experimental Sounds in Jazz

 

In 2025, Nubya Garcia stands out as a leading figure in the evolution of jazz, seamlessly weaving Afrobeat and experimental sounds into her music and redefining the genre’s boundaries.

Fusion of Afrobeat and Jazz RootsGarcia’s work is deeply informed by both the spiritual jazz traditions of legends like John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders and the infectious rhythms of Afrobeat pioneers such as Fela Kuti. Her collaborations with bands like Maisha and the London jazz collective scene have produced a signature sound that merges spiritual jazz, Afrobeat, dub, and Latin American influences. This approach is evident in albums like Source and her 2024 release Odyssey, where Afrobeat’s driving polyrhythms and jazz’s improvisational freedom coexist, creating music that is both rooted and exploratory. [mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/MRNEWS/mr-news-radio-news-4/ width=100% height=120 hide_cover=1]Experimental and Electronic ElementsGarcia is also at the forefront of genre-blending experimentation. Tracks like “Fortify” showcase her willingness to push jazz beyond its traditional structures, incorporating electronica, hip-hop, and Afro-Caribbean grooves. Her use of effects like reverb and delay on the saxophone, as well as collaborations with electronic producers for remixes, further blur the lines between acoustic jazz and electronic soundscapes. This results in a layered, immersive listening experience where jazz’s past and future converge.Collaborative and Cross-Cultural SpiritGarcia’s music is a product of London’s vibrant, multicultural jazz community, where she regularly collaborates with other genre-bending artists and bands such as The Comet Is Coming, Ezra Collective, and Sons of Kemet. These partnerships amplify the cross-pollination of Afrobeat, dub, broken beat, and Latin music within her jazz compositions, making her sound both globally resonant and distinctly personal.Narrative and Personal ExplorationGarcia’s recent projects, especially Odyssey, reflect a personal and narrative-driven approach. She draws from a wide array of influences—including film, orchestral arrangements, and R&B—to create music that tells stories, connects with her inner voice, and resists genre limitations. Her saxophone leads the way, delivering melodies that are powerful yet nuanced, and always open to new directions.ConclusionNubya Garcia exemplifies how contemporary jazz artists are blending Afrobeat and experimental sounds: by honoring tradition, embracing global influences, and fearlessly exploring new sonic territories. Her music is a testament to jazz’s enduring adaptability and its power as a platform for cultural connection and innovation