As an art form, music does what it does best when it moves you. But just what does it move us to do? Do we climb a snow-capped mountain because we listened to Vince DiCola‘s music for Rocky IV? Do we enlist in the military after hearing “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood? What about when the music is so mellow, you just want to have a coffee with the person who made it and get to know them better? Well, that last one is why we’re here today.
Jasmine Myra is a Leeds-based composer, saxophonist, and bandleader – while she may look incredibly youthful, make some no mistake, Myra packs a lot of experience into her works. She has an old soul and her music is both tranportive and transformative. In fact, Jasmine is one of the independent artists that inspired me to start our Bandcamp Interview Series. So glad we were finally able to have her on the podcast.
In our lovely chat, we spoke with Jasmine about the influences and inspiration that set her career in motion. She began playing sax at 14 years old, and just who was her entry point to the instrument? None other than Springfield native, Lisa Simpson. Yes, that Lisa Simpson – the saddest kid in graaaaade number two.
Myra laughs as she gives us that personal fact, but then goes on to explain how she came to know the works of Cannonball Adderly and became a massive fan of Kenny Wheeler. Yet it in college where she found her people – the kind of advocating, formative and like-minded students who spoke the same personal and musical language.
Fast-forward some years, and Jasmine‘s debut album, Horizons, is a deeply personal expression. On our show, Myra gives us the backstory and mindset into particularly meaningful tracks, even the alluring album artwork which has both meaningful purpose, and illustrates the themes that this brilliant artist wants to put out in the world. One unexpected topic yielded the most meaningful part of the conversation. We go into a bit of mental health, and how important it is to discuss and evaluate it due to the fact so very many people have trouble with it.
Writing for Horizons, the music became very connected to the experience Jasmine was having during the lock down which was related to mental health. She describes it as being very personal and emotional, and the specific use of harp in her work – not typically thought of as a jazz instrument – brought an energy that felt right. On stage it’s a lush instrument, whether glistened or plucked and she just loves that sound.
Myra also gives a lot of credit to her band whom she feels really understands her writing. One of the most insightful bits of our interview is when I asked how much of the music is composed versus improvisational. Jasmine says it’s mostly composed but it walks a fine line when it comes to the solos and flourishes. In the end, none of this is possible without her players.
When Horizons came out, people started calling it “Spiritual Jazz.” Myra does a lot of experimenting, and a lot of guess work, but she doesn’t find the process embarrassing. Jasmine follows her ear, and thanks to the players she works with, her gut isn’t wrong. She’s got an infectious laugh, a unique way of looking at sounds, and a captivating collection of compositions the world is falling in love with.
And we’re not the only one who thinks so. Horizons has sold out twice already, and this is a joy to have on vinyl. In fact it spins very regularly at GST HQ, and so much so we may have to re-up and get the next color way. So, enough rambling, please enjoy our chat with the delightful Jasmine Myra!
Check out Jasmine’s stuff on Bandcamp, follow her on Instagram, and if you can see her band perform live, do it!!!
