Albums
As Leader
Ghosts of Us (2023)
Chicago-based trumpet player Emily Kuhn has made a name for herself as a composer and trumpeter with a distinctively lyrical voice. With her sophomore album, Ghosts of Us, she brings this lyricism to her quintet featuring some of Chicago’s most creative and dynamic improvisers: Erik Skov on guitar, Meghan Stagl on piano, Kitt Lyles on bass, and Gustavo Cortiñas on drums. The group relies on their strong foundation of musical trust to deftly navigate influences from jazz, rock, chamber music, and Americana.
Emily Kuhn - trumpet and compositions
Meghan Stagl - piano
Erik Skov - guitar
Kitt Lyles - bass
Gustavo Cortiñas - drums
This project is partially supported by a Project Grant from the Luminarts Cultural Foundation and an Individual Artists Program Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
Sky Stories (2020)
Sky Stories is the debut record of trumpeter Emily Kuhn, out via BACE Records. Featuring her chamber jazz nonet, Helios, and her free jazz quartet, Kuhn/Suihkonen/Friedman/Ernst, the album features a collection of original songs celebrating the vast and intimate landscapes and skies of the Midwest.
Helios features Mercedes Inez Martinez (vocals), Emily Kuhn (trumpet), Max Bessesen (saxes), Myra Hinrichs (violin), Lucia Thomas (violin), Erendira Izguerra (violin), Christine Fliginger (viola), Danny Hoppe (cello), Ben Cruz (guitar), Evan Levine (bass), and Gustavo Cortiñas (drums).
Kuhn/Suihkonen/Friedman/Ernst features Emily Kuhn (trumpet), Joe Suihkonen (trumpet), Katie Ernst (bass), and Nate Friedman (drums).
The album was recorded with support from Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
As Sideperson
Gradient - John Dorhauer’s Heisenberg Uncertainty Players (2020)
“Gradient is delightful and intriguing… the album showcases the orchestra as both an energetic and electrifying whole as well as a hotbed for individual virtuosity.” —Chicago Jazz Magazine
“There’s a great deal to enjoy here and fans of contemporary big band sounds, and of high-quality listening in general, should check it out.” —Jazz Views
All music written by John Dorhauer, except “Mahler 3, Movement 1,” written by Gustav Mahler and arranged by John Dorhauer
Heisenberg Uncertainty Players is:
John Dorhauer, director
Natalie Lande: soprano/alto sax
Kelley Dorhauer: alto sax
Dan Burke: tenor sax
Matthew Beck: tenor sax, flute
James Baum: bari sax
Michael Nearpass: trombone
Josh Torrey: trombone
Chris Shuttleworth: trombone
Dan DiCesare: bass trombone
Adam Roebuck: trumpet
Jon Rarick: trumpet
Bennett Heinz: trumpet
Emily Kuhn: trumpet
Chris Parsons: guitar
Stuart Seale: piano, synthesizer, organ
Dan Parker: bass
Jonathon Wenzel: Drums
Wake Before Dawn - Kitt lyles (2020)
Emily Kuhn- trumpet, tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, & 7
Justin Copeland- trumpet, tracks 2, & 4
Roy McGrath- tenor sax
Chris Shuttleworth- trombone
Erik Skov- electric and nylon-string guitar
Joaquin Garcia- piano, tracks 2, 5, fender rhodes, track 6
Evan Swanson- piano, tracks 4, 7
Kitt Lyles- bass, vocals
Gustavo Cortiñas- drums
Yuri Hevia- bombo leguero, track 5
Tracks 1 & 2 featuring Twin Courage:
Rachael Gallman- vocals
Jaron Ferrer- vocals
Track 5 featuring Son Monarcas
Mercedes Inez Martinez: vocals
Irekani Ferreyra: requinto jarocho
String Quartet on tracks 2 & 4
Susan Miller- violin
Felipe Tobar- violin
Hilary Butler- viola
Daniel Hoppe- cello
Liminality - Erik Skov (2019)
On "Liminality," Chicago guitarist Erik Skov creates a striking debut, exploring a far-reaching collection of original compositions with his six-piece ensemble made up of some of Chicago's more interesting improvising musicians, including saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi, trumpeter Emily Kuhn, trombonist Euan Edmonds, bassist Kitt Lyles, and drummer Gustavo Cortinas. Referring here to the threshold between stages of a transformative process, "Liminality" celebrates that zone where creative discovery and possibility can thrive, through long-form compositions rife with unfolding melodies, elegiac set pieces, or straight-ahead romps.
Emily Kuhn - trumpet
Dustin Laurenzi - tenor saxophone
Euan Edmonds - trombone
Erik Skov - guitar
Kitt Lyles - bass
Gustavo Cortiñas - drums & cymbals