Emma Johnson

Composer, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Emma Johnson is a Yorkshire based, Lancashire born musician, combining cinematic, jazz and singer songwriter influences into her writing and playing.

As a saxophonist, Johnson has performed with Gregory Porter and Reverend and The Makers and is active in a number of original projects on the Northern jazz scene. Emma also arranges for and performs as part of a horn section in both live and recording settings. Most recently, she has been featured on Easy Life’s second album ‘Maybe in another life’, in session for Jimmy Kimmel and Fender, and with Los Campesinos at Islington Assembly Hall and Troxy.

As a composer, Emma works in a range of styles usually centred around the piano. Always melody focused and in search of connection, her work focuses on evoking imagery and emotion. As well as writing for her own projects, Emma is also a part of songwriting duo Night Porter, with Nishla Smith, and regularly collaborates with producers and musicians including Aaron Wood (Secret Night Gang).

Finally, as a bandleader, Emma draws together her range of artistic passions into her project Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat, to create a rich, cinematic sound hailed as ‘as a singular and exciting talent‘.

Emma is passionate about sharing the possibility of a career in music with young people, and regularly delivers workshops, most recently in two schools in Manchester as part of Abram Wilson Foundation's Future Sound Live scheme. Also advocating for gender equality and being a visible force for more representation, especially in jazz, Emma has been a part of workshops for Ribble Valley Jazz’s Elbow Room group and Jazz Camp For Girls in 2025.