Jazz Hastings presents fast-rising talent Emma Rawicz

An explosive new talent – 20-year-old Emma Rawicz – fronts Jazz Hastings’ December gig on Tuesday 6th. Julian Norridge traces the award-winning saxophonist and composer’s rapid rise to fame.

Emma Rawicz, who is already making huge waves on the UK jazz scene, and her quintet are the featured band at Jazz Hastings’ December session.

The award-winning saxophonist and composer has been described as “An astonishing new talent” (Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2), “A force to be reckoned with” (Jazzwise) and “A name on everyone’s lips right now” (Julian Joseph, J to Z BBC Radio 3).

At the age of 20 Emma has already recorded and released an eagerly awaited debut album, Incantation, made up entirely of her own original compositions. Her second album was recorded in the summer.

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. She had spent her childhood immersed in music but it was largely folk and classical. In the space of just five years, she has gone from novice saxophonist to one of the most exciting new artists on the UK jazz scene.

Her influences range from modern jazz and fusion to folk and soul. Key figures in her musical development include Chris Potter, Ari Hoenig, Joe Henderson and Chick Corea.

As well as being an exciting composer, Emma has created a name for herself as both a bandleader and a side musician, playing regularly at major London jazz venues with a wide range of established musicians. In 2021 she was awarded the prestigious Drake Yolanda Award for emerging UK artists.

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.

For this session, she’ll be performing with her quintet of equally heavy-duty young London jazz musicians. Accompanying Emma on saxophones, bass clarinet and flute will be Ivo Neame on piano, David Preston on guitar, Freddie Jensen on bass and the great Asaf Sirkis on drums.

Emma Rawicz Quintet Jazz Hastings, Tuesday 6 December, East Hastings Sea Angling Association (on the Stade behind the lifeboat station). Doors open 7.45pm for 8.30 start, tickets £12.50 on the door.

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