Future Groove
Helen McDonald's singing and compositions have been critically acclaimed in press and music media. Future Groove is a London based rare groove psychedelic jazz funk force to be reckoned with fronted by the rare vocal talent of Helen McDonald. The band is the embodiment of singer songwriter Helen’s musical vision.
Future Groove have released a 7inch Vinyl record limited press on Pure Vinyl Records with producer DJ Claudia Wilson. Love Yourself by Helen McDonald and Lady Day and John Coltrane by Gill Scott Heron.
Future gigs
The chances are you will have been wowed by Helen McDonald either performing at top events such as The Ealing or Brecon Jazz Festivals, London Jazz Festival or The Spice of Life. The band regularly perform at The Hootananny Brixton London with United Vibrations and Jazzie B 0BE. Some Notable gigs include The Tabernacle at Powis Square, Jazzlive at the Crypt at St. Giles Church. The Lambeth Country Show Brockwell Park, Mau Maus for Jazz Refreshed London and upstairs at The Ritzy London just to name a few venues.
She has performed and supported the musical late great heavyweight Gill Scott-Heron.
Other artist includes Roy Ayres, Jean Tuisaint, Orphy Robinson, Jean Toussaint, Jason Yarde, Robert Mitchell, Omar Puento, Flautist Keith Waite, The Macusi Players, Yaaba Funk, Jason Yarde, Robin Hopcroft, Robert Mitchell, Chris Jerome: the list is endless. Her influences are wide reaching from The Rotary Connection – to Jimmy Hendrix Pharoh Sanders SUN Rah to John Coltrane and Bob Marley Curtis Mayfield and Billie Holiday. The Rare Grooves That Future Groove play reflect their influences.
Helen and Future Groove
The Bands sound connects rare groove and jazz funk classics that will contain audiences like a force field to the dance floor. Even more significantly, Future Groove is a chance to hear Helen's exciting music experiences captured in her brilliantly written and crafted original songs performed by top, hand picked musicians.
Future Groove features the astoundingly fresh and compelling grooves of Kofi Adu on drums (Pigbag), superbly dexterous Sue Lynch on tenor sax/flute (Hog Calling with John Edwards and Steve Noble and London Improvisers Orchestra with Adam Bohman), Lesley Booth (Freda Payne, Gloria Gaynor, Billy Eckstine and Rod Stewart) on bass and Yul Emirali on keys.
“Freaky and bewildering mix of modern jazz drawing on freeform and funk sources.”
John Lewis
Timeout London
“outstanding passionate voice.”
Jazz Magazine
Straight No Chaser
“Helen is a brilliant Jazz singer who is rightly regarded as one of the very best of the new generation of Jazz Vocalists… “
Alan Cross
BIRMINGHAM MAIL