Dr. Emma Dayhuff explores “Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project”
Renowned bassist, composer, and educator Dr. Emma Dayhuff is set to unveil her highly-anticipated debut album, “Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project,” on August 15, 2025. This musical venture serves as a reflection of over fifteen years of profound engagement, synergy, and heartfelt contribution to the vibrant tapestry of Chicago’s Black creative music. Collaborating with esteemed artists Kahil El’Zabar, Isaiah Collier, and Dee Alexander, the album showcases an intergenerational union of four eras of Chicago’s esteemed musicians. Each artist plays an instrumental role in shaping the distinctively innovative and adaptable artistic milieu of the city while perpetuating the enduring musical legacy that defines Chicago’s sonic landscape.
Dayhuff’s journey into the essence of Chicago’s artistic heritage commenced in 2011 when she began attending local jam sessions as an avenue for musical expression following a prolonged hiatus. Through her unwavering dedication and regularity, she garnered the attention of Chicago’s seasoned musicians, who extended invitations for collaborative work. Together, they delved into the intricacies of rhythm and harmony, exploring ways to manipulate energy, motion, and emotion through music. Reflecting on her experiences, Dayhuff acknowledges the profound influence of Chicago’s artists in imparting a culture hallmarked by integrity, camaraderie, and audacity.
In a pivotal move, Dayhuff relocated to New York City in 2016 in pursuit of an intensified musical experience she believed the city could offer. Immersing herself in bebop stylings, mastering the art of improvisation, and connecting with passionate artists worldwide, she embraced the competitive ethos and relentless grind of the metropolis. A serendipitous encounter with young talent Isaiah Collier at Small’s Jazz Club rekindled Dayhuff’s dormant creativity, infusing her bass lines with a medley of polyrhythms, pedal points, growls, and rolls. The musical dialogues she shared with Collier resonated deeply, evoking a shared language inherited from their mutual mentors—a language rooted in the traditions of Chicago.
Fuelled by an insatiable curiosity to unravel the musical instincts she honed during her formative years in Chicago, Dayhuff embarked on an extensive exploration of the city’s South Side artists and institutions. Across a century marked by cycles of creative abundance, a connection began to crystallize between her mentors and the trailblazers of the Black Arts Movement who frequented the entertainment district surrounding Garfield Avenue in the 1950s. Recognizing the transference of musical energy, phrasing, and concept through generations of devoted practitioners, Dayhuff identifies a lineage akin to Chicago’s unique griot tradition.
With a career spanning two decades, Dayhuff has collaborated with jazz luminaries such as Herbie Hancock, David Murray, and Patricia Barber. She has graced iconic stages worldwide, including the Newport Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, and the Winter Jazz Fest in New York. Currently, as an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Dayhuff imparts her holistic teaching philosophy developed under the tutelage of esteemed bassists like Ron Carter and Gerald Cannon. Emphasizing technical finesse, cultural immersion, musicality, and innovation, she nurtures students to cultivate their artistic identity within the framework of their musical heritage.
As Dayhuff prepares to unveil “Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project,” her artistic journey stands as a testament to the profound impact of Chicago’s musical legacy on contemporary jazz. With an album teeming with rich intergenerational collaborations, Dayhuff pays homage to the indelible mark of Chicago’s artistic lineage while charting a course for the future of creative music.