London's Nérija are a female-centric jazz collective whose sound draws from the aggressive, swinging hard bop of the 1960s, as well as funk, soul, and hip-hop. Emerging in 2016, they drew praise playing festivals and clubs before issuing their debut album, 2019's Blume. Formed in 2016, Nérija came together while the members were students in the London jazz initiative Tomorrow's Warriors Female Collective. Originally featured in the group were trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey, trombonist Rosie Turton, saxophonists Cassie Kinoshi and Nubya Garcia, guitarist Shirley Tetteh, bassist Inga Eichler, and drummer Lizy Exell. Following their time in Tomorrow's Warriors, they began playing live, appearing at festivals including Latitude, Brainchild, Manchester Jazz Festival, and Jazz Re:Fest. They also picked up a nomination for Jazz FM's Breakthrough Act of the Year award in 2016. In March of 2019 they issued the EP Nérija on the Domino label. The group's full-length debut, Blume, followed that August. ~ Matt Collar