Welcome
“Her artistry is as much about hope as reflection,” -All About Jazz
Emma Hedrick is a jazz vocalist and composer based in Indianapolis and Upstate New York. Grounded in jazz tradition yet sculpting a new sound, Hedrick is known for her compositional originality, honest lyric delivery, and inventive collaborations. She captivates audiences with her authentic songwriting and nuanced performances. All About Jazz has said, “her artistry is as much about hope as reflection,” about her work. She has performed across the U.S. and Europe, including at the Indy Jazz Fest, Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), and Konzerthaus (Berlin), and has led her quintet at clubs and festivals, including the Elkhart Jazz Festival, The Jazz Kitchen, and the Bop Stop, to name a few.
Hedrick was awarded a Pathways to Jazz Grant from Boulder County Arts Alliance and a YoungArts Microgrant for the creation of her debut Album, “Newcomer,” released in 2025. She was also recently granted a New Works Commission by the Center for the Performing Arts (IN) and a Dairy Arts Co-Production commission (CO) for her project “Wild Stories: Native Ecosystems Retold”, a collaboration with a wildlife photographer for a live performance of a jazz trio and projected visuals.
She currently serves on the faculty in Jazz and Commercial Music at Syracuse University and has been a visiting guest artist at East Tennessee State University and Butler University. Hedrick received her M.M. in vocal jazz performance from the Royal Conservatoire, the Hague, and her B.M. in Vocal Jazz Performance from the University of Miami as the Presser Scholar for her graduating class.
New Music Video out now
“Tone Poem in Greenwich Village” by Emma Hedrick
A Collaboration with Dancer/Choreographer Natasha McCandless and Director Justin Park S.E.
“Emma Hedrick’s debut Newcomer introduces a luminous new voice on the jazz scene, merging clear, structured songwriting with a warm, expressive vocal presence. The tunes feel both polished and personal, with each arrangement offering subtlety and melodic depth. The production nicely balances the traditions of jazz with fresh lyrical perspectives, offering a wonderfully compelling debut. ” - D. Glenn Daniels
NEWCOMER is the debut album of Indianapolis-based vocalist and composer, Emma Hedrick. The album comprises ten original tunes composed by Hedrick. Although her earliest influences were Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, Read more
NEWCOMER is the debut album of Indianapolis-based vocalist and composer, Emma Hedrick. The album comprises ten original tunes composed by Hedrick. Although her earliest influences were Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, her own writing and singing have a contemporary edge. She calls the album her “musical scrapbook” and her compositions were born through many sources of inspiration including pre-existing poetry, haiku form, creativity methods from various art disciplines, and daily life.
Hedrick assembled a band of up-and-coming jazz artists for NEWCOMER, many of whom she had met in college. Collaboration was a North Star for this project, and Hedrick specifically selected musicians and friends who have been important to her journey to be featured on the album. Each song has a unique instrumentation and orchestration that highlights not only the variety of compositional inspirations but also the range of aesthetics and styles within the album.
The album was produced by PETER ELDRIDGE, the vocalist, composer, recording artist, and founding member of the internationally acclaimed New York Voices. Peter also plays piano and adds his voice to two tracks. While they first met at the New York Voices Jazz camp when Emma was 16, this is their first project together.
Hedrick is foremost a storyteller. With her spot-on intonation, mellifluous vocal quality, and skilled phrasing, she eschews vocal gymnastics to place the lyrics front and center. Her appealing songs have a contemporary pop/mellow jazz feel with a classic quality that makes them seem almost familiar.
Hedrick assembled a band of up-and-coming jazz artists for NEWCOMER, many of whom she had met in college. Collaboration was a North Star for this project, and Hedrick specifically selected musicians and friends who have been important to her journey to be featured on the album. Each song has a unique instrumentation and orchestration that highlights not only the variety of compositional inspirations but also the range of aesthetics and styles within the album.
The album was produced by PETER ELDRIDGE, the vocalist, composer, recording artist, and founding member of the internationally acclaimed New York Voices. Peter also plays piano and adds his voice to two tracks. While they first met at the New York Voices Jazz camp when Emma was 16, this is their first project together.
Hedrick is foremost a storyteller. With her spot-on intonation, mellifluous vocal quality, and skilled phrasing, she eschews vocal gymnastics to place the lyrics front and center. Her appealing songs have a contemporary pop/mellow jazz feel with a classic quality that makes them seem almost familiar.
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The Idea of Love 4:460:00/4:46
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Dreamscapes 5:510:00/5:51
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Newcomer 5:580:00/5:58
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In the Warmth 5:240:00/5:24
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0:00/4:01
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0:00/4:39
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Inside Your Mind 4:460:00/4:46
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In the Garden 4:330:00/4:33
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Come on Home 4:080:00/4:08
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Waste No More Days 5:320:00/5:32
Calendar
Previous events
Live recording of Talking Jazz Podcast
(CEST, UTC+02) (CEST, UTC+02)
JAM MUSIC LAB Private University Vienna, Guglgasse 8, 1110 Wien, Austria, Vienna
Emma joins host of Talking Jazz Podcast, Monika Herzig, for a live recording and performance.
Free to join!
Emma Hedrick joins the Indiana Jazz Exchange, led by Monika Herzig, for a tribute to the Four Freshmen.
18 euro
Emma Hedrick joins the Indiana Jazz Exchange, led by Monika Herzig, for a tribute to the Four Freshmen.
Emma Hedrick joins the Indianapolis Jazz Exchange for a school workshop.
Indiana Jazz Exchange-Germany Tour
(CEST, UTC+02) (CEST, UTC+02)
Emma Hedrick joins the Indiana Jazz Exchange, led by Monika Herzig, for a tribute to the Four Freshmen.
Free, must reserve ticket in advance!
Emma Hedrick Quintet at the Johnson City Jazz Festival
Martin Center, Powell Recital Hall, 1320 W State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City, TN
The Emma Hedrick Quintet featuring Emma Hedrick (voice), Shane McCandless (saxophone), Gavin Gray (bass), Alex Taub (piano), and Joe Enright (drums). Performs original music from the album "Newcomer" as a part of the Johnson City Jazz Festival.
The Emma Hedrick trio performs as part of the CNY Jazz at the Cavalier series at the Syracuse Downtown Marriott. Enjoy the finest vocalists in the region every Wednesday from 6 to 8:30pm, free valet parking, special Eleven Waters menu, and jazz cocktails. The Cavalier Room provides the lovely surroundings. No cover, no minimum, maximum enjoyment!
Guest Artist with Canandaigua High School Jazz Band/Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Academy Auditorium , https://www.canandaiguaschools.org/arts/music, Canandaigua, NY
Emma Hedrick joins as a guest artist for the combined Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz concert led by directors Matthew Erman and Sean Perry.
Emma Hedrick, Christopher Pitts, and Shane McCandless perform holiday favorites as a featured performance at the Indiana Historical Society's Festival of Trees event. This performance is put on in collaboration with the Great American Songbook Foundation.
SILO Christmas Jazz Celebration
Silo Auto Club and Conservancy , 644 E Washington St, , Indianapolis, Indiana
SundayJazzBrunch@SILO combines with the SILO Auto Club’s Annual Member Christmas Party with a Christmas Jazz Celebration featuring the Visions Jazz Ensemble led by Sam Butler and Garrett Fasig, the 2022 and 2023 winners of the Hoagy Carmichael Award at Indiana University, joined by three of their IU classmates and with special guest vocalist, Emma Hedrick! Together they will present jazz arrangements of classic Christmas songs.
9ollective Christmas Album release at the Chatterbox
Syracuse University faculty and students join together for an All-Star holiday concert/jam as a part of "The Scene".
Emma Hedrick Joins the Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective for a concert celebrating the release of their Christmas Album
$15-$30
The Benny Golson Jazz Festival was created to honor the life and legacy of the legendary saxophonist/composer, who received an honorary doctorate from Butler University in 2019. The purpose of this late fall, non-competitive festival is to provide students and directors with impactful educational opportunities and inspiring performances. Each participating band will receive a newly commissioned arrangement of a Benny Golson tune. This year, all bands will receive both “Killer Joe” arr. Jamey Simmons (Grade 3-4) and “Blues After Dark” arr. Mia Traverse (Grade 2).
Participating ensembles and combos will perform for and participate in clinics and masterclasses with our Butler University School of Music faculty members and guest artists. The festival will take place on the campus of Butler University and will conclude with a free, evening concert featuring the Butler University Jazz Ensemble. View the full event schedule, guest artist and clinician info, and more below.
Emma Hedrick Joins the Hickey-Shanafelt 9ollective for a concert celebrating the release of their Christmas Album https://www.meridianstreet.org/take-note-music-series
Emma visits Eastern Tennessee State University as a guest artist, speaking at their weekly symposium meeting
BOP STOP welcomes vocalist and composer, Emma Hedrick, for her debut at the venue as she promotes her debut album release, Newcomer, which releases on August 1st. Written during her formative time as a student in the Netherlands and Miami, this soulful collection of contemporary jazz is a musical scrapbook that blends modernity and tradition. The songs weave through a wide variety of genres from swing to samba to singer-songwriter with engaging lyrics as the through-line, contributing to a can't-miss set of creativity and authenticity.Tickets for tonight are $15 each in advance, $20 day of show.
$15 Adv/ $20 DOS
Emma Hedrick and Amy Azzara are excited to invite you to a night of original music influenced by jazz, singer-songwriters, pop, R&B, and more! After studying at the University of Miami together for four years, Emma and Amy are now dear friends and cherish opportunities to collaborate musically. They each bring a set of original music to Lovin’ Cup, featuring Ellie Pruneau on Piano, Gavin Gray on Bass, Greg Niemi on Drums, and Shane McCandless on Saxophone.
$15 adv. $20 door