I'm Emma Johnson, a multi instrumentalist, composer and arranger based in Leeds. My varied career is guided by a love of melody and I move seamlessly between playing live in my own projects, working as a session musician, composing and arranging to help songs shine both live and in the studio. As a composer, I aim to conjure imagery for the listener, with a cinematic jazz voice in my own quintet Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat and the darker moods of Night Porter with Nishla Smith. My arranging approach creates soundscapes for horns and strings that complement and weave around a song, refreshing things while remaining supportive. I love collaborating and bringing out the personality of each project and have recently worked with artists such as Easy Life, Ubunye and Reverend and the Makers.

Emma Johnson

I'm Emma Johnson, a multi instrumentalist, composer and arranger based in Leeds. My varied career is guided by a love of melody and I move seamlessly between playing live in my own projects, working as a session musician, composing and arranging to help songs shine both live and in the studio. As a composer, I aim to conjure imagery for the listener, with a cinematic jazz voice in my own quintet Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat and the darker moods of Night Porter with Nishla Smith. My arranging approach creates soundscapes for horns and strings that complement and weave around a song, refreshing things while remaining supportive. I love collaborating and bringing out the personality of each project and have recently worked with artists such as Easy Life, Ubunye and Reverend and the Makers.

Available to hire

I’m Emma Johnson, a multi instrumentalist, composer and arranger based in Leeds. My varied career is guided by a love of melody and I move seamlessly between playing live in my own projects, working as a session musician, composing and arranging to help songs shine both live and in the studio.

As a composer, I aim to conjure imagery for the listener, with a cinematic jazz voice in my own quintet Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat and the darker moods of Night Porter with Nishla Smith.

My arranging approach creates soundscapes for horns and strings that complement and weave around a song, refreshing things while remaining supportive. I love collaborating and bringing out the personality of each project and have recently worked with artists such as Easy Life, Ubunye and Reverend and the Makers.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Saxophonist / Horn Arranger at Fold
January 1, 2014 - Present
Touring saxophonist and horn arranger for Fold, coordinating horn parts for live and studio work since 2014.
Saxophonist & Pianist at Legend Of Springsteen
January 1, 2019 - Present
Touring saxophonist and pianist on UK, Netherlands, Germany and Austria tours.
Saxophonist / Horns at Easy Life
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2022
Horns for UK tour and festivals; transcribed and performed as a 6-piece horn section for the second album.
Saxophonist / Horn Section at Ubunye
January 1, 2023 - Present
Performances at London Jazz Festival, Musicport Festival and Brudenell Social Club in a horn section with trumpet player Aaron Wood.
Saxophonist at Northern Flame
November 1, 2023 - Present
Contributor on the 2nd album released and toured in Nov 2023; 4-star Jazzwise review and Radio 6 airplay.
Saxophonist at Kudos Functions UK
January 1, 2014 - Present
Regular horn performances with Kudos Functions UK.
Saxophonist at Back Chat Brass
January 1, 2016 - Present
Regular performances with Back Chat Brass.
Saxophonist / Live performer at Various artists
January 1, 2014 - Present
Performed with artists such as Gregory Porter, Olly Murs, Clare Teal, Ian Shaw and Pee Wee Ellis as a session horn player.
Arranger & Session Musician at Easy Life
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
Arranged a 6-piece section (and additional instruments) for Easy Life's second album ‘Maybe In Another Life’ (2022); contributed to live shows including Reading and Leeds Festival, NBRHD, and a full UK Tour (2021); sessions including Fender, Vevo, Jimmy Kimmel, MOTDx.
Horn Arranger & Strings for Ubunye at Ubunye
January 1, 2023 - Present
Horns for Ubunye (Parliamentary Jazz Award Winners) in studio and live (2023 - present).

Education

BA Hons – Jazz Performance at Leeds College of Music
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2014

Qualifications

Enhanced DBS
January 11, 2030 - February 13, 2026
Full Clean Driving License
January 11, 2030 - February 13, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Other