Jasmine Myra, a saxophonist and bandleader from Leeds, challenges contemporary norms with her new album Rising, characterized by its expansive, contemplative jazz sound.
“My journey with the saxophone started around age 14,” Myra reflects. Unlike her experiences with piano and violin, the saxophone resonated deeply with her. From school lessons to private sessions and eventually joining Leeds Conservatoire’s jazz program, Myra found in the saxophone a means to express her innermost emotions.
Her latest album, Rising, marks a significant step in Myra’s career at 27. It follows her debut, Horizons, which she composed during the intense lockdowns of 2020. For Myra, this period was not only creatively fruitful but also personally transformative, allowing her to confront and unpack her emotions fully.
“My music is an emotional journey,” Myra explains. Rising blends soft saxophone melodies, harp, strings, and rhythmic patterns into a meditative whole. It aims to uplift listeners and provide a sense of relief from the stresses of daily life.
Myra’s musical evolution reflects her diverse influences, from reggae and jazz from her father to contemporary artists like Floating Points and Ólafur Arnalds. Her style, often described as “spiritual jazz,” emerged gradually as she explored her own creativity and identity.
Navigating the jazz scene hasn’t always been easy for Myra, who initially felt disconnected from the genre. However, discovering albums like Grover Washington’s Winelight helped shape her distinctive style, which contrasts with more rhythmic and aggressive jazz approaches.
Despite challenges, including gender dynamics within jazz education and performance, Myra remains dedicated to her craft. She emphasizes the importance of making mistakes and learning from them in her composition process, a philosophy that extends to her live performances with her close-knit band.
Through Rising, Jasmine Myra continues to carve out her space in the jazz landscape, offering listeners a transcendent experience that reflects her personal and musical growth.
