Tenor saxophonist Emma Rawicz leads INKYRA, a jazz ensemble that weaves rock energy and intricate musical storytelling into a contemporary sound.
INKYRA are a new band that fuse rock energy, fusion, and singer‑songwriter lyricism within a contemporary jazz framework. UK heavyweights, the group’s six members Gareth Lockrane, David Preston, Scottie Thompson, Kevin Glasgow and Jamie Murray bring a wealth of experience from the jazz scene, each contributing a distinct musical personality that shapes the ensemble’s collective voice.
The result is a modern jazz sound that balances inventive composition with the immediacy of live performance, offering audiences a fresh take on the genre.
“Some of the inspiration for the music comes from Joni Mitchell. That sounds far-fetched at first, because the pieces don’t sound like singer/songwriter music. Nevertheless, I immersed myself in her music before composing the programme. I’m fascinated by the way she structures melodies, how she uses harmony, special tunings and unusual chords that you don’t hear in jazz. This influenced me on the piano and, in turn, shaped my work as a composer. It gave rise to my own identity. I also drew inspiration from the lyrics, which reappear in the titles of the pieces.”
– Emma Rawicz
