The enchanting new diva of atmospheric, subtly retro jazz, Emma Smith, is set to make her Greek debut with her personal ensemble, adding an extra touch of festive sparkle to the city’s Christmas nights. From Dec. 19 to 26, the award-winning London singer will take the stage at the Half Note Jazz Club.
photo: Veronika Marx
Raised in a profoundly musical environment—her mother a saxophonist and vocalist, her father a trumpeter, composer, and arranger who worked with legends such as Leonard Bernstein, The Three Degrees, and Paul Weller—Emma’s deepest influence came from her grandfather, a trombonist who performed alongside icons including Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Barbra Streisand, Oscar Peterson, and Tony Bennett. From him, she inherited a unique and profound respect for the art of singing.
Her professional career began early. Emma has collaborated with internationally renowned artists such as Michael Bublé and achieved widespread recognition as a member of the vocal harmony group The Puppini Sisters. A restless and multifaceted talent, she spent four years as a presenter on BBC Radio 3 and recently completed a triumphant tour with the American supergroup Postmodern Jukebox.
Experts regard her as one of today’s most captivating voices in jazz, and her latest album, Bitter Orange, is a testament to her steadily rising career.
Speaking about her upcoming journey to Greece and her expectations for the audience, Emma said: “I’ve heard that the Greek audience is passionate, attentive, and deeply in love with music. What I hope to share is honesty. I want them to feel invited into the music, not spoken down to. Joy, vulnerability, and the sense of a shared experience are at the heart of what I do—and I hope they resonate with it. We’ll definitely create a jazz party atmosphere.”
She added that she wants Greek audiences to leave these festive performances with a sense of warmth, connection, and celebration. “Jazz has always been a music that fosters togetherness, and I want these evenings to feel lively. If people leave smiling, humming a tune, or feeling a little lighter than when they arrived, then I’ve done my job well,” she concluded.
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