London-based tenor saxophonist, bandleader and composer Nubya Garcia is in Australia for Melbourne International Jazz Festival and to play shows in support of her new album Odyssey. Featuring vocalists like Esperanza Spalding and string players from Chineke!, Nubya revels in expanding her sonic palette and pushing jazz into the realms of dub, R&B, soul and beyond.  And, experimental trio Black Aleph are in to perform music live from their debut album Apsides. With a cello, guitar and daf (Persian frame drum) their sound is as expansive as it is unique, drawing inspiration from varied sources like Middle Eastern modal music and doom metal. They speak to Andrew about the role of improvisation and dark concepts in their music, and the joy of exploring sonic textures together.