Emma Taylor

Emma Taylor is a multifaceted musician, educator, and arts professional based in Chicago. Emma is a graduate of Millikin University (BM Music Business and Commercial Music) and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (MM, DMA). During her time at UIUC, Emma studied under the direction of Larry Gray and served as the Jazz Bass teaching assistant, teaching private lessons and running Jazz Band III, as well as the Classical Bass TA. For three years, Emma taught at Millikin University’s School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance. She currently teaches at Purdue University and Richland Community College.

Emma is an acclaimed bassist and bandleader, having received several awards such as the 2017 DownBeat Outstanding Performance and the 2020 Jazz Achievement Award. She is a sidewoman in the Central Illinois jazz scene and has played with notable musicians such as Carl Allen, Derrick Gardner, Jim Pugh, Troy Roberts, Frank Catalano, Joel Spencer, Tito Carrillo, Larry Gray, and Jim Snidero.

Aside from playing in the US, Emma has also toured and taught masterclasses in Argentina, Chile, and Cuba, as well as in Mexico with Wave Trio, a modern jazz group, which features two-time Grammy winning artist Adrian Terrazas-Gonzalez (The Mars Volta, T.R.A.M., Transient) on woodwinds. Most recently, Emma traveled to Brazil with Millikin University students for a week-long residency at University de Federal in Uberlandia.

Emma has also been recognized for her talents in dancing, singing, and musical theatre. She toured Central Illinois as a singer/dancer and performed in numerous productions at Central Illinois Equity Theatre “The Little Theatre On The Square”. In her free time, Emma enjoys choreographing and teaching dance classes—attributing her musical feel to her years of dance and performing.

Listen to her newest album here.