Jasmine Myra – Where Light Settles (Gondwana Records) album launch – Howard Assembly Room Leeds

UK saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Jasmine Myra brings her expansive and cinematic sound back to Leeds, performing music from her third album “Where Light Settles” (Gondwana Records).

Jasmine Myra’s music is built on a sense of atmosphere – a lush, instrumental storytelling that balances the delicate with the powerful. Born and based for many years in Leeds before moving to London, Myra has developed a distinctive voice within the UK jazz scene, drawing on a wide range of influences from the emotive scores of film soundtracks to the textures of contemporary folk and the natural world.

Her latest work, “Where Light Settles”, marks a significant step forward in her career as both a performer and producer. Recorded at The Nave studios in Leeds, the album features a large-scale ensemble including strings, harp, flute, and vibraphone. The result is a sound that feels both grounded and ethereal – moving from “gem-like” piano movements to soaring, orchestral arrangements that evoke the rugged landscapes of North Wales and the Lake District.

While Myra’s own alto saxophone playing is central to the performance, it often sits within the texture of the band rather than leading from the front. This collaborative approach allows the intricate melodies to unfurl naturally, creating a warm and hopeful energy that Myra describes as “autumnal”. It is music that explores the duality of life – acknowledging hardship while finding beauty and growth in the aftermath. Having recently performed as far afield as China, this homecoming performance offers a chance to experience one of the most confident and evocative composers currently working in British music.

Tonight, she performs her music with an expanded line up that includes her usual octet plus a four piece string section.

This show is a co-promotion by Howard Assembly Room in partnership with Lubi Jovanovic (DJ Lubi).