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 becoming the hottest ticket in town. She has already collaborated and recorded with the likes of Michael Bublé, The Quincy Jones Orchestra, Jeff Goldblum, Bobby McFerrin, & Gregory Porter. Along the way, she is building a formidable reputation as a powerful, expressive artist on the global jazz scene, collecting and nurturing a real fanbase that returns show after show.
Emma Smith’s many accolades to date includes the widespread success of her long established vocal harmony group The Puppini Sisters, as well as a 4 year stint as a broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, she also holds a position with her home club’s well established touring group; The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. And after 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 jazz music. With a saxophonist mother and a trumpeter/composer father she was surrounded by jazz chords, bebop records and 3 part vocal harmony from a young age. But Emma cites her biggest influence as her grandfather; East-ender trombone player who started his career in British army bands and rose to prominence playing with legends such as Sammy Davis Jr, Oscar Peterson, Barbara Streisand and Frank Sinatra. Emma says, “He never skipped a days 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 that this music gives me and limitless ambition”.
The hard work and commitment is paying, of as over recent years Emma has received a range of awards and compliments from organisations and critics alike; 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 more recently being titled ‘Jazz Act of the year’ at the Jools Holland Boisdale Music Awards in 2024 (where she was up against Ezra Collective, Courtney Pine and Nybyia Garcia). Having been one of four vocalists nominated for the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Award in the ‘Jazz Vocalist of the Year’ category in both 2022 & 2023, Emma is proud to have won the title 2024. Stateside, Emma made it to the final 5 participants of the 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, chosen from 280+ submissions representing 37 countries by a panel of star judges, Emma was the only non-USA based singer to compete.
Emma Smith has continued her rise to prominence with her critically acclaimed studio recordings; showcasing her as a multifaceted jazz singer, arranger and traditional songwriter with outstanding vocal ability. The release of her latest solo album, ‘Meshuga Baby’, put Emma Smith on the global jazz map, receiving rave reviews, racking up millions of streams, as well as receiving wide spread radio support from Jamie Cullum on BBC2, Cerys Matthews on BBC6, TSF, & JazzFM.
Emma’s much anticipated new album ‘Bitter Orange’ comes out in Summer 2025 with USA label ‘La Reserve’, where Emma is the first UK artist to join the ultra-hip roster. It is an intimate snapshot into the mind & personal life of a ‘self-making’ female artist, on a mission to be heard & impactful in the world today, with a sound from 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
Contact Info
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Label | La Reserve
Discography |