Emily Kuhn Quintet

Ghosts of Us, the second album by Chicago-based trumpeter Emily Kuhn’s eponymous quintet, was released in June, but written during COVID time and recorded in 2021. Many of Kuhn’s compositions on the album are evocative enough of that time that most listeners could make that interpretation without the backstory. The recorded versions give the players plenty of space, which is likely to make for some fierily nervous moments in a live setting.

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Grace Pisula/Gold Point Studio

Emily Kuhn playing trumpet.

Emily Kuhn

media release: Blue Stem Jazz Presentation

Emily Kuhn - trumpet; Erik Skov - guitar; Meghan Stagl - piano; Kitt Lyles - bass; Gustavo Cortiñas- drums

Emily Kuhn is a jazz trumpet player based in Chicago, described by the Chicago Jazz Magazine as having “a charismatic style and a sophistication that belies her youth.” Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, Emily has made a name for herself as an active bandleader, sidewoman, composer, and educator since moving to Chicago in 2016. She released two albums via BACE Records, Sky Stories (2020) and Ghosts of Us (2023), to numerous accolades. She has brought her original music to festivals including Hey Nonny's Women's Jazz Festival, the Festival of New Trumpet Music, the MCA's Tuesdays on the Terrace, and the Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks series, and her work has been recognized by the Luminarts Cultural Foundation, Chicago DCASE, and the Chicago Reader. Emily has a BM and BA in Jazz Trumpet Performance and Environmental Studies from Oberlin. She studied with renowned trumpet players Eddie Henderson, Sean Jones, John D’earth, and John Henes.

The Emily Kuhn Quintet will be celebrating the release of their recent album, "Ghosts of Us," via BACE Records. Described as "the kind of lyrical, spacious jazz that draws you deep within its cocoon-like atmosphere" (Matt Collar, All Music), the album draws inspiration from the Covid-19 pandemic, meditating on themes of stillness, connection, grief, and hope. The group relies on their strong foundation of musical trust to deftly navigate influences from jazz, rock, chamber music, and Americana.