About the artist
Emily Best (she/her) is a gender-free singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who resides in the occupied Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish). Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations of so-called Vancouver B.C. Her unique orchestration and arrangements paired with distinctive melodies weave a patchwork of pop, rock, and folk, while melding the idiosyncratic leanings of jazz with the familiar nostalgia of southern country-soul. Incorporating harp, pedal steel, jazz guitar, strings, horns, her debut album “A Storm Came Through” is described as “a marvellous musical medley that combines old-time Americana, contemporary jazz, avant-pop and orchestral folk. It’s unlike anything I’ve heard before.” Noted as having “the same appeal as cursive writing—elegant and rare” by The Permanent Rain Press, Best’s “lush and soulful” composition and unique production style have classified her as “an artist who could be as comfortable on a folk festival stage as a jazz gig” by the The Vancouver Sun.
With formal education in jazz piano, classical voice and composition, as well as strong roots in rock and blues piano, her past collaborations include keyboards and supporting vocals with Queer as Funk, co-writing, piano for progressive jazz/rock ensemble Bad Tranzlator, keyboardist and backing vocalist for Vancouver turned Melbourne-based neosoul artist Kristie McCracken, Canadian-Ghanian singer-songwriter Kae Sun, BG’s with UK-based chamber folk composer and multi-instrumentalist Laura Reznek, and Montréal-based progressive electro-soul singer-songwriter Janette King.
In 2016, Emily toured as the keyboardist and backup vocalist for electro-soul indie band Soclose. The group gained national attention when they represented Montréal as CBC’s 2017 Canadian Top 25 Searchlight Winners. She also performed, toured throughout Canada and recorded as keyboard/backup vocalist for Janette King & The Bad’s Electric Magnolia cross-Canada tour from 2015-2017.
Emily currently resides in so-called Vancouver, BC in the Coast Salish peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations where she works as a performing musician, composer, arranger, and recording artist.
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