Bio

Emily Kuhn

“Chicago trumpeter Emily Kuhn makes the kind of lyrical, spacious jazz that draws you deep within its cocoon-like atmosphere.” –Matt Collar, AllMusic

Originally from Charlottesville, VA, Chicago-based trumpeter Emily Kuhn has made a name for herself as a dynamic bandleader, trumpeter, composer, and educator. Kuhn has released two albums under her name, starting with her full band debut album Sky Stories in 2020 and then Ghosts of Us in 2023 (both off of BACE Records), with her forthcoming album Feathered Things out July 24 2026 via Desafío Candente Records.

Kuhn leads two projects, a jazz quintet and a chamber jazz ensemble, Helios. She has brought her original music to festivals including Champaign Urbana Jazz Festival (opening for the legendary Herbie Hancock), Ravinia Festival (through the Steans Institute for Jazz), Stanford Jazz Festival, Hey Nonny’s Women’s Jazz Festival, Festival of New Trumpet Music, the MCA's Tuesdays on the Terrace, and the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series. Her work has been recognized by the Ravinia Festival, South Arts, Illinois Arts Council, Luminarts Cultural Foundation, and Chicago DCASE. As a sidewoman, she has appeared on a dozen studio recordings by Chicago bandleaders and plays regularly with a variety of ensembles across Chicago’s jazz and Latin scenes, including Latin fusion band Son Monarcas, Kitt Lyles’ Real Talk Collective, Gustavo Cortiñas’ Kind Regards, Sam Pilnick’s Nonet Project, Erik Skov’s Liminality, John Dorhauer’s Heisenberg Uncertainty Players, and Christy Bennett's Fumée. A dedicated educator, Kuhn teaches at jazz programs across the country including Midwest Young Artists and Stanford Jazz Workshop. She studied Jazz Trumpet Performance and Environmental Studies at Oberlin; notable teachers include Eddie Henderson, Sean Jones, and John D’earth.