Emma-Jean Thackray

Emma-Jean Thackray is a London-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and DJ, described by The Guardian as a “musical polymath”. A master’s composition graduate, she launched onto the UK jazz scene with her self-released EP Walrus in 2016 – a truly unique collection of experimental jazz, off key percussion, and beats.

Emma-Jean’s sound incorporates the widest range of music – from spiritual jazz and P-funk to Detroit house, hip-hop, techno, northern Bassline, and ultra-catchy rock and pop music. Her musical journey began when she picked up the cornet in primary school and joined several brass bands.

A regular on BBC 6 Music, covering acclaimed shows on Worldwide FM, for Mary Anne Hobbs, and Jazz FM, Emma-Jean is an in-demand DJ, playing sensational sets worldwide. As a musician and creative, she bridges worlds: directing the London Symphony Orchestra and performing at Glastonbury five times in one year. She has also scored the soundtrack to short film Erax for Netflix, directed by Hebru Brantley.

In 2019, Jazz FM nominated her as their Breakthrough Act of the Year. Two years later, she won the public vote for Act of the Year, and in 2022, her debut album Yellow was awarded Album of The Year, solidifying her position as one of the UK’s most innovative musicians. Yellow, released on her own record label Movementt, reached No. 1 in the UK Jazz Albums Chart and No. 3 in the UK Independent Album Charts.

Having signed to Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label and Parlophone, Emma-Jean released her second album Weirdo, an eclectic jazz-funk record written in the face of unimaginable personal grief. She played every instrument, wrote every song, and recorded each aspect for the music, with the exception of cameo appearances by Reggie Watts and Kassa Overall. Channelling George Clinton and Kurt Cobain in her powerfully idiosyncratic style, Weirdo was highly acclaimed and shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize.