Jasmine Myra Live at Fasching: Where Light Settles

Jasmine Myra's jazz concert at Fasching, Stockholm confirmed her place as one of European jazz's most distinctive voices. The British alto saxophonist delivered a sublime two-set performance built around her third album, Where Light Settles, showcasing a symphonic, pastoral sound that is both accessible and emotionally profound.

A Symphonic Jazz Sound Rooted in Nature and Light

Myra's compositions carry a consistent folk-like quality and a vein of melancholy, though her new material leans toward a brighter, more optimistic outlook. Inspired by trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, she works with contrasts and dualities, building arrangements from subtle, layered brushstrokes rather than bold gestures. The result is a jazz language that feels both intimate and orchestral.

First Set: Meditative Jazz with Ethereal Depth

The opening set was restrained but never static, driven by a quiet forward pulse and circular melodic phrases. Flautists Joel Stedman and Rianna Henriques lifted the ethereal mood, while pianist Nico Widdowson brought a meditative calm to each outro. Guitarist Ben Haskins contributed a distinctly lyrical tone, using resonance and space to great effect.

Second Set: Intensity, Expression and Collective Power

The second set shifted the energy dramatically. Drummer George Hall opened up rhythmically, pushing the band into rolling, driving tempos. When Henriques switched to tenor saxophone, her interplay with Myra became dense and expressive. The concert closed with Horizons, Myra's debut title track and musical signature — a reminder of her enduring ability to look forward.

Key Takeaways

Jasmine Myra's Fasching concert proved that her strength lies in collective expression rather than individual showmanship. Her jazz is lush, emotionally layered, and never merely decorative — a must-hear for fans of contemporary European jazz.

Author: Dan Backman

Source: Orkesterjournalen

Published: September 28, 2026