Parliamentary Jazz Vocalist of the Year winner, Emma Smith’s star is on the rise. With diverse and extensive experience performing everywhere from the Royal Albert Hall in London to the world’s leading jazz clubs, it’s no wonder that Emma’s shows are fast becoming the hottest ticket in town. She has collaborated with the likes of Michael Bublé, The Quincy Jones Orchestra, Jeff Goldblum and Jeremy Pelt / Wayne Escoffery quintet. Along the way, she has built a formidable reputation as a powerful, expressive artist on the global jazz scene, nurturing a loyal fanbase that returns show after show.
Emma’s many accolades to date include the widespread success of her long-established vocal harmony group, The Puppini Sisters, as well as a four-year stint as a broadcaster on BBC Radio 3. She also holds a position with her home club’s acclaimed touring group, the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. Following a triumphant tour with American supergroup Postmodern Jukebox, Emma’s career continues to soar — with tastemakers tipping her as one of the most exciting voices in jazz today.
Growing up in a family of jazz musicians, it was inevitable that Emma would catch the bug for joyous, swinging music. With a saxophonist mother and a trumpeter-composer father, she was surrounded by jazz chords, bebop records, and three-part vocal harmony from a young age. But Emma cites her biggest influence as her grandfather — an East End trombone player who began in British Army bands and rose to prominence playing with legends such as Sammy Davis Jr., Oscar Peterson, Barbra Streisand, and Frank Sinatra. Emma says, “He never skipped a day’s practice. He taught me that you’re only as good as your last performance. I’ve adopted my Grandad’s work ethic, wide-eyed adoration for the music, deep gratitude for the life it gives me, and limitless ambition.”
That work ethic has paid off. In recent years, Emma has received a range of awards and acknowledgements from both critics and institutions — including being one of only two singers ever to be awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians Medal, reaching the finals of the Montreux Jazz Competition, and being named Jazz Act of the Year at the 2024 Jools Holland Boisdale Music Awards, competing alongside Ezra Collective, Courtney Pine, and Nubya Garcia. She was nominated for the Parliamentary Jazz Award in the Jazz Vocalist of the Year category in both 2022 and 2023, before proudly winning the title in 2024. Stateside, she reached the final five in the 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, selected from over 280 submissions representing 37 countries — and was the only non-USA-based singer to compete.
Emma’s rise to prominence has been cemented by her critically acclaimed studio work, showcasing her as a multifaceted jazz singer, arranger, and traditional songwriter with exceptional vocal ability. Her solo album Meshuga Baby was hailed as a breakout release, amassing millions of streams and receiving widespread radio support from Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), TSF Jazz, and Jazz FM.
Her much-anticipated new album Bitter Orange arrives in summer 2025 via US label La Reserve, where she is the first UK artist to join their ultra-hip roster. An intimate snapshot into the mind and personal life of a self-making female artist, Bitter Orange captures Emma’s mission to be heard and make an impact in today’s world — with a sound rooted in yesterday.
“Extraordinary cumulative power” Jazz Wise
“One of the most stylish and original interpreters of Songbook classics on the scene” All About Jazz
“Emotive power ” Evening Standard
“Emma Smith is a singer with a voice that is a breath of fresh air to the jazz world” Jazz Views
“If you want a name for the future, then agents should not wait too long to beat a path to the door of Emma Smith’ The Telegraph
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Label | La Reserve
Discography |