Em (Shola Emmanuel)

Em (formerly Shola Emmanuel) brings Afrobeat fire to Sunday Jazz Lounge. February 1 at St. James Live. Limited seats. Zero boring moments.

Em Live: Afrobeat Jazz in Atlanta

Tired of Jazz That Puts You to Sleep?

You sit. You clap politely. You forget it by Tuesday.This isn’t that.

This Is Afrobeats and  Jazz, And It Hits Different

Em doesn’t play jazz or Afrobeat.
He weaponizes both.

You get:
→ The groove of Lagos nightlife
→ The soul of Miles Davis
→ The energy of a sold-out stadium

Result? You don’t watch. You move.

Em has performed across 5 continents. Atlanta gets him for 90 minutes. That’s it.

Event Details: Sunday Jazz Lounge with Em

📅 Date: Sunday, February 1, 2025

🕒 Time: Doors 3:00 PM | Performance 4:00–5:30 PM EST

📍 Venue: St. James Live, 3220 Butner Rd, Atlanta, GA 30331

🎷 Artist: Em (formerly Shola Emmanuel), Afrobeat Jazz Saxophonist

🎫 Capacity: Limited seating (expected sellout)

🎵 Genre: Afrobeat Jazz Fusion

afrobeats jazz saxophonist
afrobeat jazz saxophonist

One Night. One Performance. One Chance.

Why “Em” Instead of Shola Emmanuel?

Same artist. Sharper sound. Bigger vision.

Em represents the evolution, shorter, bolder, impossible to forget.

If you’ve seen Shola Emmanuel perform, you know what’s coming.
If you haven’t, February 1 is your introduction.

All past performances, bookings, and features under “Shola Emmanuel” now perform as Em.

What People Say After Experiencing Em Live

“I came for the jazz. I stayed because I couldn’t leave. The way he blends Afrobeat with improvisation, I’ve never heard anything like it.”
— Sarah M., Atlanta

“Shola Emmanuel was incredible. Em is untouchable.”
— Lori W., Music Promoter

“If you miss this show, you’ll regret it when everyone’s talking about it Monday.”
— St. James Jazz Atlanta Blog

✓ Performed in Lagos, London, and New York
✓ Featured on Radio Station, TV shows, Podcast
✓ Booked for Upcoming Venue, Ceremonies, and Festival

The Saxophonist Who Made Lagos Sound Like Coltrane Is Coming to Atlanta

Our Promise: You’ll Remember This Show

If you walk out of St. James Live on February 1 and think “that was fine,” we failed.

This isn’t background music. It’s not “nice.”
It’s the kind of performance you tell people about for years.

Not satisfied? Email us within 24 hours. We’ll make it right.
(But we’ve never had to. Just saying.)

February 1. St. James Live. Em.

You have two choices:
Join the waitlist now and secure your seat.
Or explain to your friends why you missed the best jazz show Atlanta’s seen this year.

Join the waitlist. Get the ticket alert. Decide then.
No credit card. No commitment. Just first access.

About Em (Formerly Shola Emmanuel)

Em is an Afrobeat jazz saxophonist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Known for fusing West African rhythms with American jazz improvisation, Em has performed across 3 continents and is establishing Atlanta as a hub for Afrobeat jazz fusion.

Upcoming Performances: February 1, 2025 at St. James Live (Sunday Jazz Lounge). For booking inquiries, visit sholaemmanuel.com/book-em

Em Live: Afrobeat Jazz Atlanta | Feb 1 at St. James

Em Live: Afrobeat Jazz in Atlanta | February 1, 2025

St. James Live
3220 Butner Rd, Atlanta, GA 30331

FAQ

St. James Live holds 400 people. We’ve already got 247 on the waitlist before tickets even dropped. Do the math.

If they like music that makes you feel something, yes. This works for first dates, friend groups, and jazz heads. All ages welcome.

Priority Access Seats start at $30 and are released first to waitlist members. General Admission is $35, while Premium Stage-Side Seats are $40 for those who want the closest, most immersive experience.
Seats are limited, and the best sections are always the first to go. Join the waitlist to lock in your spot before they’re gone.

Perfect. You’re about to discover your new favorite live artist. Watch the video above. If it doesn’t grab you, don’t come.

St. James Live has a full bar and light bites. Come early, grab a drink, settle in.

Yes. Fill out the booking inquiry form or email [booking email]. Atlanta venues, festivals, and private events all welcome.

Biography

Nigerian afrobeat jazz saxophonist and sensation in the Atlanta music scene (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone Sax) who creatively fashions and blends music inspired by traditional African rhythms while maintaining a Western voice, class, and style.

Shola Emmanuel has increasingly flourished as an Atlanta saxophone player and recording artist who interprets jazz at the core of its actual provenance, Africa.

His signature essence tailors and blends traditional African rhythm with western style pizzazz, the result is a unique Warm, and soulful tune that soothes the heart and delights the ears.

Shola made his first international appearance as a trumpet player at the LeZènith stage in Paris, followed by a performance before a crowd of 80,000 with Andy Narell at the South African jazz Art alive festival in 1999.

He didn’t start playing the Saxophone until 2004 and has not put it down since.
Traveling over 70 countries on all continents, Shola has toured with Andy Narell, Stevie Wonder, Enja of France, Soul band, Rhythm & Sax Orchestra, and Hugh Masekela, among many other collaborative performances on recordings and as a band director and music educator.

His bolstering musical expertise is a three-way street that allows him to share his music, culture, and the gospel.

Shola, a multidimensional talent is not just a fine musician and saxophone player but also an adept IT professional, Database Administrator, and an MBA in Digital Marketing from Wharton School.

In his leisure time, Shola enjoys taking trips and cooking with his family.
He believes that “ there is music in everyone and everything around us if only we’d just stop and listen to feel the rhythm”.

Shola looks forward to passing down an ear for good music to the next generation and shares this with his daughter Lu.

~ Music is Life

Shola Says

Music is a three-way street that allows me to share my music, culture, and the gospel!
Shola Emmanuel