One of Australia’s finest jazz vocalists, Emma Pask combines powerful vocal ability with effortless charm.
Whilst Emma Pask has a unique voice and style all her own, her performances are reminiscent of the classic era of jazz, when swing was top of the charts. First spotted by internationally renowned jazz great James Morrison when she was just 16 years old, Emma quickly became the lead vocalist of his band, with whom she spent a solid 20 years touring the world. She has toured with her own band throughout Europe, Asia and Australia.
Emma’s latest album Dream of Life was released in 2022, and in its first week of release landed in the Top 10 of the ARIA Jazz and Blues album chart.
In May 2020, amidst the first Covid 19 lockdowns, Emma was chosen by the Sydney Opera House to launch the first of their concerts livestreamed from the stage of the hallowed Joan Sutherland Theatre. This performance won the official Time Out (In) award for favourite arts livestream. The following February, the Emma Pask Big Band brought Sydney’s music scene back to life after lockdown, with a sold-out show at the city’s Sunset Piazza.
Intriguing highlights in her career include performing the Bridal Waltz, by special request, for Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban at their wedding in 2006. She has also serenaded royalty, having the honour to sing for VIP audiences that included the late Diana, Princess of Wales and Princess Mary of Denmark.
She has wide experience performing with orchestras in Australia and around the world: at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra; in Perth with the WA Symphony Orchestra; in London with the BBC Concert Orchestra; in China with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra; and in Auckland with the New Zealand Philharmonic. She has received rave reviews for her performances in Uruguay and is a regular at the prestigious Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland. In January 2019 the Emma Pask Band headlined at the Havana Jazz Festival in Cuba.
She played support to legendary guitarist/vocalist George Benson and Grammy Award-winning American vocalist Kurt Elling on their previous Australian tours.
Emma received a “Mo” Award winner for Jazz Vocalist of the Year in 2006 and has received two ARIA Award nominations for Best Jazz Album of the Year in 2014 and 2016.
