Parliamentary Jazz Vocalist of the Year winner, Emma Smith’s star is on the rise. With diverse and extensive experience performing everywhere from the Royal Albert Hall in London to the world’s leading jazz clubs. She has collaborated and recorded with the likes of Michael Bublé, The Quincy Jones Orchestra, Jeff Goldblum, Bobby McFerrin, & Gregory Porter. Along the way, she has built a formidable reputation as a powerful, expressive artist on the global jazz scene.

Fresh off a triumphant tour with the American supergroup Postmodern Jukebox, Emma’s career continues to soar with tastemakers tipping her as one of the most exciting voices in jazz today.

“Emma Smith is a singer with a voice that is a breath of fresh air to the jazz world” - Jazz Views

Emma Smith’s many accolades to date includes the widespread success of her long established vocal harmony group The Puppini Sisters, as well as a 4 year stint as a broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, she also hold a position of resident singer with the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. Not to mention, she has received a range of awards and compliments from organisations and critics alike, including winning the ‘Worshipful Company Of Musicians Medal’, reaching the finals of the Montreux Jazz Competition. Emma was nominated for a prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Award in the ‘Jazz Vocalist of the Year’ category 2 years in a row (2022 & 2023) and won this title in 2024. Emma also made it to the final 5 participants of the 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, chosen from 280+ submissions representing 37 countries by a panel of star judges (including Christian McBride and Jane Monheit), Emma was the only non-USA based singer to compete in this iconic competition 2023. 

Emma Smith has continued her rise to prominence as a multifaceted jazz singer-songwriter with outstanding vocal ability, with the release of her solo album, ‘Meshuga Baby’, which was received with critical acclaim, and became one of the year’s stand out releases and an important addition to the cultural diaspora. Racking up millions of streams since it’s release, as well as receiving radio support from Jamie Cullum on BBC2, Cerys Matthews on BBC6, TSF, & JazzFM.

Emma’s much anticipated new album ‘Bitter Orange’ comes out in Summer 2025 with USA label ‘La Reserve’. It is an intimate snapshot into the mind & personal life of a ‘self-making’ female jazz artist, on a mission to be heard & impactful in the world today, with a sound from yesterday.

“One of the most stylish and original interpreters of Songbook classics on the scene” - All About Jazz

The American dream came true for Catalina Popescu in October of 1986 when she and her husband Bob created a supper club devoted to serving an experience of superb eats and the shared magic of live performance. That grand experience began at the door where every night her mother Maria would greet each guest as family and share in their love of music. Housed in Hollywood and decked out in a timeless charm, the club offers a cozy ambience under sparkling stage lights garnished with its signature concoction — Jazz. The first artist to grace the stage was the masterful flutist and saxophonist Buddy Collette, and ever since then, over the past 36 years, the Catalina Jazz Club has hosted the most illustrious legends of all time — from the powerful puffers of Dizzy Gillespie to the electrified fingers of McCoy Tyner, the bubbly belt of Dee Dee Bridgewater and Lynda Carter, the flirtatious saxophone of Joshua Redman, the slick strumming of Kenny Burrell, the insane drum clinic of Steve Gadd, the romance of Steve Tyrell, and the masterclass of Mike Stern.

For Catalina, Jazz is our way of life. It breathes pain. It knows love. It dreams hope. It bleeds courage. Whether we’re showcasing Broadway, Soul, R&B, or stand-up comedy, the lesson learned from all the greats who have serenaded our spirits is how to connect to one another. And that’s why the Catalina Jazz Club will always have a table ready for you.

The Catalina Jazz Club has been honored by A.S.M.A.C., California Jazz Foundation, Los Angeles Jazz Society, and a City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation on their 25th Anniversary, which was awarded by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the LA City Council which included then City Council member and current Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.