Emma Feld-Mugnaini is a French Guitarist and Composer born in Paris in 1999.
After having studied 2 years at the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam she formed her own band with international musicians from the Conservatory of Amsterdam; Tijs Klaassen (double bass/Netherlands),
Federica Lorusso (piano/Italy), Chen Har Even (drums/Israel) and Meeliann Kosk (Estonia/Vocal).
Through her compositions, she explores her imagination and her sensibility. She is inspired by musicians like Bill Frisell, Wes Montgomery and Pat Metheny, composers like Charles Mingus and Cecile McLorin
Salvant. Other inspirations are cinema (Gena Rowlands and John Cassavettes, she wrote “A Song for Gena in John” in homage to these 2 artists), dance (Wayne McGregor; “Wayne’s Choreography” is a
composition in homage to this dancer and choreographer).
Through her music, she creates a dreamy, experimental, open, and lively atmosphere.
Emma’s first album “Une Question d’Enfant” is planned for release in 2024.
How did you learn to play? Where did you study?
I started playing guitar at the age of 6 with blues/rock guitar lessons, my first inspirations were Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Guy. I began studying Jazz at the age of 14 and learned language and improvisation by listening to Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall and Pat Metheny. At the age of 19, I met and studied with Romain Pilon before leaving to study at the Amsterdam Conservatory from September 2020 to June 2022 where I studied with Jesse Van Ruller, Martijn Van Iterson, Tineke Postma, Taali and José James, among others.
Who are the musicians that influenced you the most?
Charles Mingus, Jimi Hendrix, St Vincent, Milton Nascimento, Gal Costa, Pat Metheny.
What are your thoughts and opinions on today’s jazz scene?
I think it’s really exciting and inspiring. I feel very thrilled to be part of the same era and generation that musicians like Sasha Berliner, Joel Ross, Anne Paceo, Macha Gharibian, Romain Pilon and many more. Each musicians that I quote above are not only great musicians but also great people, and they are defending their political, spiritual point of view in their music, also the boundaries between genres (pop, jazz, classical, electro) are more disappearing nowadays, so it’s really exciting!
Can you tell us more about your experience with the 7 Virtual Jazz Club?
I was selected with my band for the Finalists of the 8th Edition in 2023 with a song of mine called “Wayne’s Choreography”. It is dedicated to the choreographer Wayne McGregor. The song featured great musicians I met at the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam; Ketija Ringa-Karahona (Flute), Federica Lorusso (Piano), Tijs Klaassen (Double Bass), Chen Har Even (Drums).
What are your future projects?
In May 2023, I was selected to participate in the WIZZ Mentoring Program created by Anne Paceo, Les Gémeaux, and the Jazz Sous les Pommiers Festival.
This program aims to support young jazz musicians and composers, with a concert at the Sceaux Jazz Festival in June 2024.
Also, I started a project with Lalo Harris, an english singer based in Barcelona, more news to come soon.
Then I plan to record my Debut Album “Une Question d’Enfant” (a “Child Question”) by March 2024 with my band at the Lullabye Factory Music Studio in Amsterdam, for this occasion I started a crowdfunding campaign on the ULULE platform, we achieved more than 50% of the crowdfunding goal, but we still need a little push to create the best album possible, every help is welcome and appreciated.
