Emmaline, based out of the Nashville area, keeps getting better and better with stunning vocals and arrangements of songs. At Rams Head on Stage recently, Emmaline and band played an outstanding set of jazz and contemporary music.
It had been over a year since I had first saw her perform her magical songs at The Hamilton Live, so it was great to catch up with her again at her high-energy night of jazz songs at Rams Head on Stage.
On Feb. 16, Emmaline put on a night of powerful vocals and played great songs from her album Retro Kind of Love, which is one of my favorites of hers, and songs from her current EP, titled Indiana Skies. The fans were definitely there to watch her, listen to her great singing, and sing along with her and the band.
A couple of the songs from the new EP that stand out for me are “Soft Spot and “Everything’s Breezy,” which closed the evening.
Watch Emmaline perform “Soft Spot” live from her house on YouTube:
Emmaline continues to evolve, and this show in Annapolis definitely showed that she has an ability to sing beautifully and talk with the audience throughout her set. Emmaline revealed that she had begun playing violin at 4-years old but had started asking her parents for a violin as early as 3-years old. The violin would then become her main instrument until she was 19-years old. Emmaline actually ended up going to college to train to become a classical musician but eventually changed her major to jazz as she became interested in composing and writing her own songs. Her and Ryan, her guitar player, met in college and have been writing songs and playing together ever since. They complement each other’s music and approach to the songs very well.
Madisun Bailey opened the show and played a fine opening set on acoustic guitar. The audience in attendance was very appreciate of her set and interaction before Emmaline and band came on to finish the night.
Emmaline and band played extremely well together, and the band’s style allows Emmaline’s vocals to stand out completely with the band’s delivery of music highlighting the songs. This was a night of jazz music at its finest and could easily be seen in any of the jazz showplaces around the country. Emmaline likes to interpret other musicians’ songs into her set and suggested that she likes to take an upbeat song and make it a little smoky.
Her vocals were smoking throughout the entire show, and the audience left wanting more. The evening was sensational, and we will see more outstanding music from Emmaline in the near future I would estimate.
Here are some photos of Emmaline performing at Rams Head on Stage on Feb. 16, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
Here are some photos of Madisun Bailey opening Emmaline at Rams Head on Stage on Feb. 16, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
