Multi-award-winning British saxophonist and composer Emma Rawicz emerged on the international stage to critical acclaim with her first release on the prestigious ACT label at the age of just 21. Now, after making her debut on many of Europe’s most important stages and festival lineups, including Ronnie Scott’s, Cadogan Hall, the Berlin Philharmonic, Burghausen Jazz Festival and more, she has sown the seeds of a major career, and become known as one of the leading artists of her generation.
Rawicz was the youngest ever Artist in Residence at Cambridge Jazz Festival and has received several awards and nominations recognizing her achievements. Emma has also recently been selected as a BBC New Generation Artist from September 2024 for two years. With over 70 shows as bandleader and featured artist across 16 countries (a. o. UK, NL, BE, PL, NO, SE, DE, FR, CH) in the past year alone, Emma is rapidly becoming highly sought after as a performer, as well as developing her craft and unique, recognizable sound as a player and composer.
Her music is distinct and engaging, thanks to her endlessly melodic compositions, infectious grooves and a virtuosity on her instrument that is well beyond her years. Emma’s sound on the saxophone is a defining part of her identity, with a range that spans gorgeous tone on ballads and fiery exhortations in thrilling odd time and groove numbers. Emma’s music is both sophisticated and wholly accessible, with an honest joyful commitment that is present regardless of the setting. www.emmarawicz.com
In this joint concert at Korjaamo with the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, you’ll hear Emma Rawicz’s compositions for her own Jazz Orchestra, as well as a new commission composition tailored for UMO. Rawicz will not be putting the sax down, and will feature as a soloist as well as conducting the orchestra. UMO will be joined by the virtuoso jazz singer Kadi Vija, whose vocals blend with the orchestra in an instrumentalist role.
This concert is part of Better Live, a project co-financed by the European Union’s Creative Europe program.
“With ‘Chroma’ young British jazz star Emma Rawicz is taking admirable risks and continuing her warp-speed evolution”
– The Guardian, ****
“What an extraordinary artist reaching such heights at such a young age!! and an astonishing talent”
– Jamie Cullum – BBC Radio 2
Photo: Gregor Hohenberg