About

Biography

Emergence Collective creates beautiful, minimalist sound worlds that gradually unfold through improvised performance. With a revolving lineup and a vibrant mix of ancient and modern instruments, the ensemble unites some of the North’s most exciting improvisers in fresh and unexpected combinations. Drawing on shared backgrounds in experimental, folk, electronic, classical, and early music, they generate a hypnotic, otherworldly kaleidoscope of sound, completely unique to every live performance and shaped by the space in which it occurs.

Their improvisations are deeply informed by their environment, responding to each location’s history and acoustic character. They frequently perform in unconventional spaces, including a disused cinema fly tower, cathedrals, an abandoned warehouse, and a Tudor house.

The group has performed to sold-out audiences across the UK, released multiple albums, and led accessible, hands-on workshops that explore their creative methods. The ensemble is currently directed by Juliana Day, Rob Bentall, Zebedee C. Budworth, and Jemma Freese.

Press Quotes

"beautifully subtle yet hypnotic performance of stripped back improvised minimalism" - The Guardian

“enthralling, gorgeous, mysterious and mesmerising… immerse yourself in the realm of their magic” - Cast The Dice

“Dislodged from time, fragments of older and folkier traditions seep into contemporary ones in their compositions with seamless grace, ornate patterns ambling through the reverberant space they're enclosed in” - The Quietus

“Flutes intermingle with gently plucked strings, toots of baritone sax float above ripples of percussion, while dreamy vocals coalesce with the distinct and engulfing tones of the hammer dulcimer and the nyckelharpa. It’s remarkably measured and considered music given it is being birthed in real time” - Loud & Quiet

“..astonishingly beautiful. The moods develop organically, and the structures are so clearly defined.” - Twisted Soul Music

Project Directors

Juliana is playing a paetzold contrabass recorder in an atmospherically lit Tudor house. She has her eyes closed and a

Juliana Day

In addition to co-running Emergence Collective, Juliana regularly collaborates and performs solo, blending low recorders, vocals and live electronics. Her debut album aired on BBC Radio 3 and earned praise from Jazzwise Magazine. A Royal Birmingham Conservatoire alumna, she’s performed for Disney, the BBC, RSC and Manchester Collective with commissions from Making Tracks, NFoJAIM, and the University of Sheffield.

Rob Bentall

Rob is a composer-performer, working primarily with Swedish nyckelharpa and electronics. His creative activities have been supported by Sound and Music. He has presented work internationally, including at EMS (Sweden), CMMAS (Mexico), and Jakarta Theatre Platform (Indonesia). He is Associate Professor in Music at Leeds Conservatoire.

Jemma Freese

Jemma is a musician, composer and improviser who uses vocals, keyboards, synths and piano. She's a graduate from Leeds Conservatoire, and has had plays on BBC Radio 3 and BBC 6 and has performed at EFG London Jazz Festival and The Royal Albert Hall. Jemma has collaborated with The Halle Orchestra and plays keyboard and backing vocals for Maximo Park.

Zebedee C. Budworth

Zebedee C. Budworth is an award-winning composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His work spans film and advertising, notably scoring The Thing With Feathers (starring Benedict Cumberbatch) and Meet Me In The Bathroom (both Sundance premieres). Featured on BBC Radio and Sex Education, his music has earned praise from Pitchfork and NME. He’s performed across major UK festivals, Europe, and Japan.

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