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.
One of our earliest experiences with Emma was seeing her take part at our Foyle’s Jazz Jams back in 2019 when she was still involved in NYJO’s Academy set-up. Since then, Emma’s playing has seen her appear on stages all over the country, both with NYJO and a plethora of other bands (including her own). Not stopping there, her Instagram account boasts an amazing library of videos featuring practise routines, transcriptions, live footage and much more. What was always easy to notice was Emma’s insatiable appetite for music, and to grow and learn as fast as she could.
Since those early jams back in 2019, Emma has featured on as many NYJO projects as any other musician can claim over that three-year period, including her Ronnie Scott’s debut as a part of our NYJO Presents series in 2021. Whether it’s a Jazz Orchestra show, a unique concept tour like Monk at Town Hall, or playing with the Jazz Exchange to create new, original works – she has taken it all in her stride and left her mark for all to see. A more humble, but important credit, comes from her time in a support role for several learning projects, full circle from when she herself was a part of NYJO’s junior set-up.
The JX programme has been hugely helpful to me so far, consistently pushing me to explore new areas of composition, playing and collaborating with others, in many different formats. On top of this, I’ve been able to meet and play with many incredible musicians, and explore whole new ways of playing; I’ve even started experimenting with effects pedals with my sax, and arranging for very different groups of instruments.
Emma Rawicz, NYJO Musician
Emma Rawicz is now an award-winning young saxophonist and composer, making waves on the UK music scene in her own right. She has been described as ‘a force to be reckoned with’ (Jazzwise) and ‘a fast rising star’ (London Jazz News), and at the age of 19, Emma has been a recipient of the 2021 Drake Yolanda Award, recorded her debut album ‘Incantation’ and most recently, received the Jazz Newcomer of the Year from the Parlimentary Jazz Awards.
Emma discusses her NYJX composition “Vera”
A striking, confident performer, Emma’s influences range from modern jazz and fusion to folk and soul, key figures in her musical development including Chris Potter, Ari Hoenig, Kenny Jarrett, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea and more.
You can keep up with all of her many musical projects by following her on Instagram at @EmmaRawiczMusic now.