Emma-Jean Thackray

Emma-Jean Thackray

Emma-Jean Thackray is a jazz musician, producer, bandleader and DJ from Leeds, United Kingdom, now based in south London. She works across jazz, electronic music, free jazz, funk, jazz fusion and nu jazz, and plays trumpet and cornet. Her project is associated with Emma-Jean Thackray's WALRUS.

Early life and training

Thackray grows up in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and plays cornet in local brass bands in Yorkshire. She studies jazz performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama under Keith Tippett, then completes a Masters in orchestral jazz composition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance under Issie Barratt and Errollyn Wallen.

Movementt and recordings

In 2020, Thackray launches her own record label, Movementt, as a home for her music. The label's first release is her solo EP Rain Dance, followed by reissues of her 2016 EP Walrus and her 2018 EP Ley Lines. Her debut album Yellow appears on Movementt and reaches number 1 in the UK Jazz Albums Chart and number 3 in the UK Independent Albums Chart.

Broadcast and wider activity

After appearing on Later... With Jools Holland on BBC Two, she signs with Warner Chappell Music in 2021. Her work combines composition, performance and production within contemporary British jazz.