Cambridge Jazz Festival are proud to welcome multi-award winning saxophonist and composer, Emma Rawicz as our Artist-in-Residence (Music).

 

As part of Emma's residency, Cambridge Jazz Festival audiences will have the unique opportunities to witness and enjoy her artistry in two high profile concerts.

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“An astonishing new talent” Jamie Cullum – BBC Radio 2

 

‘a force to be reckoned with’ Jazzwise

 

‘a fast-rising star‘ London Jazz News

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'...her new album confirms how inventively risk-embracing a bandleader Rawicz is becoming. On Chroma, she lets classy playing partners stretch out within her expanding compositional world of vocalised Latin-dance hooks, global-jazz rhythmic figures, and edgy, horn-led contemporary instrumentals.' Guardian ★★★★

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Emma Rawicz is a multi-award winning young saxophonist and composer,  making waves on the UK music scene and beyond. At the age of 21 she has already recorded and released an eagerly awaited debut album ‘Incantation’ featuring Ant Law, made up entirely of her original compositions. In April 2023 Emma signed to major European Jazz label ACT and Emma’s second album, Chroma, recorded in summer 2022 will be released by ACT in August 2023.  Chroma features an all-star band of Ivo Neame, Ant Law, Conor Chaplin and Asaf Sirkis with Immy Churchill providing vocals for three tracks.

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Emma has created a name for herself both as a bandleader and a sideman. A relatively new arrival on the scene, she has already made an impact, regularly playing at major London jazz venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Café and Pizza Express both as a band leader and as a sideman with a wide range of established musicians. In November 2022 Emma performed as a featured soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Marcin Wasilewski Trio in their tribute to Tomasz Stańko. 2022 also saw Emma and her band invited to perform at some high profile international jazz festivals.

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Emma is a recipient of the 2021 Drake Yolanda Award, winner of ‘Best Newcomer’ at the 2022 Parliamentary Jazz Awards and nominee for the 2022 Jazz FM ‘Instrumentalist of the year and finalist in BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022.

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Growing up in rural North Devon, Emma didn’t discover jazz until the age of 15, and didn’t pick up a tenor saxophone until a year later, but had spent her childhood otherwise immersed in largely folk and classical music.

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Emma is a natural performer. Her music has a unique sound, fusing all her many influences, and her compositions range from lilting Afro Cuban inspired grooves to hard hitting modern jazz and funk numbers.

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