Born
and raised on a
West London council
estate, Heather
battled with shyness
and a profound desire
to sing from an
early age. Captivated
by gospel music's
inspirational elements
and influenced by
'70s reggae and
soul, she joined
her first group,
the blues and soul-tinged
band 'HotHouse'
while still in her
teens. Although
their potential
was never fully
realised, Heather
had a fortuitous
meeting with Mike
Pickering, a DJ
at Manchester's
famed Hacienda nightclub.
After hearing Heather's
unique voice he
persuaded her to
collaborate with
a group he'd just
formed. A group
called M People.
A group that would
go on to sell over
10 million records
worldwide.
Although
Heather's statuesque
vocals have become
synonymous with
the sound of M People,
they took on a new
identity on 'Proud',
her debut solo album
which was the most
unexpected album
of 2000. On it her
distinctive voice
simply flows, reminding
listeners of the
vast talent she
possess and shares.
The album's standout
tracks 'Don't Change
A Thing', 'Don't
Look For Love' and
'Wherever The Road
Goes' - are crafted
examples of what
soul and gospel
should sound like
together.
"I
knew how I wanted
'Proud' to sound.
Full of voice and
texture."
What
marks Heather out
as a unique talent
in the producer-led
r&b environment
or the teen-obsessed
pop market is not
just her unique,
weighty voice, but
that her songwriting
retains an inner
strength. Although
Heather's material
is steeped in the
influence of stellar
r&b names (Stevie
Wonder and Marvin
Gaye, Sarah Vaughan,
Nina Simone, Gladys
Knight and Mavis
Staples), it communicates
an emotional feeling
without encouraging
a feeling of despair.
Over
the Olympic period
'Proud' became the
'unofficial Olympic
theme.' It was used
as the sound bed
for the daily round
up of all activity!
In
November 2000, Heather
teamed up with the
legendary Tom Jones
on the single 'You
Need Love Like I
Do'.
Since
'Proud' Heather
has been spending
time bringing up
her son as well
as performing guest
spots with the Snake
Davis Band and doing
a few private shows.
A duet with Michael
McDonald in Mexico
in January 2003
for a private show
was one of the high
points of her career.
She
has also been involved
in the 'Gaia' album
project to benefit
Global Education,
which was written
by Alain Simon and
involved 350 musicians
and 20 guest stars,
including members
of Fleetwood Mac
and Jane Birkin.
The album is being
released worldwide
between the 17th
of March 2003 and
the 15th of May
2003. The Gaia project
was the event of
the year at this
year's Midem festival
where Heather performed.
Her
one-off concert
at the Queen Elizabeth
Hall in December
2002 was a sell-out
success and a testament
to her loyal fan
base.
More
recently Heather
has been working
hard on writing
new material and
recording songs
for a new solo album.
Her appearance on
the Parkinson show
in April was the
most highly-rated
episode of the season.
During
June 2003, Heather
embarked on a successful
solo tour of England
and performed shows
in Manchester, York,
Cambridge and London.
Heather recently
performed at the
Pride in the Park
festival in Hyde
Park, London, on
Saturday 26th July
2003.
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