Biography
Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Emily Elbert crafts an airy yet propulsive blend of reflective folk, syncopated guitar grooves, and unconventional arrangements that move fluidly across soul, blues, jazz, and rock. Beyond her self-released projects, notably the socially aware 2018 album We Who Believe in Freedom and the 2022 release Woven Together, she has earned recognition as a versatile collaborator and road musician whose résumé includes stints alongside Jacob Collier, Esperanza Spalding, and Leon Bridges.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Elbert drew early inspiration from Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stevie Wonder, and James Taylor. She issued her first full-length recording, Bright Side, in 2006 while still attending high school, then enrolled at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. During those years she honed her cross-genre approach, independently putting out Proof in 2010 and maintaining an active touring schedule. Her 2011 live document Alive, In Love captured the breadth of her stage performances and was followed in 2013 by the Evolve EP. In subsequent seasons she kept composing original material while establishing herself as a session musician and partner to an eclectic roster of performers.
After relocating to Los Angeles, she participated in Esperanza Spalding’s experimental jazz-theater endeavor, contributing to the 2016 album Emily’s D+Evolution. The 2016 presidential election prompted her to compose the 2017 protest track “True Power,” which in turn shaped her third studio album, the politically charged We Who Believe in Freedom, issued in 2018. She subsequently concentrated on studio work and live support for artists including Leon Bridges, Jenny Lewis, Lorde, Gwen Stefani, and Jacob Collier. Returning to solo work, she delivered the exploratory Woven Together in 2022, an adventurous set that fuses funk, folk, and psychedelic soul while addressing community, gratitude, and transcendentalism.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Elbert drew early inspiration from Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stevie Wonder, and James Taylor. She issued her first full-length recording, Bright Side, in 2006 while still attending high school, then enrolled at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. During those years she honed her cross-genre approach, independently putting out Proof in 2010 and maintaining an active touring schedule. Her 2011 live document Alive, In Love captured the breadth of her stage performances and was followed in 2013 by the Evolve EP. In subsequent seasons she kept composing original material while establishing herself as a session musician and partner to an eclectic roster of performers.
After relocating to Los Angeles, she participated in Esperanza Spalding’s experimental jazz-theater endeavor, contributing to the 2016 album Emily’s D+Evolution. The 2016 presidential election prompted her to compose the 2017 protest track “True Power,” which in turn shaped her third studio album, the politically charged We Who Believe in Freedom, issued in 2018. She subsequently concentrated on studio work and live support for artists including Leon Bridges, Jenny Lewis, Lorde, Gwen Stefani, and Jacob Collier. Returning to solo work, she delivered the exploratory Woven Together in 2022, an adventurous set that fuses funk, folk, and psychedelic soul while addressing community, gratitude, and transcendentalism.
Albums
Not Alone
2022
The Healing (Extended Version)
2019
We Who Believe in Freedom
2018
The Healing
2018
True Power
2017
Letting Go / Here and Now
2016
Evolve
2013
Alive, in Love
2012
Proof
2010
Bright Side
2006
Singles
