Thailand Tour 2010

Heather is performs 3 concerts in Thailand in aid of Melissa Cosgrove Childrens Foundation.

2010 Thailand Tour DatesFriday 26th February - Bangkok, British Club Lawns
Saturday 27th February - Pattaya, Centara Grand Beach Resort
Tuesday 2nd March - Koh Samui, KC Resort

Buy Tickets: Total Reservation

.......................




[Press Release]
An EVENING with.... HEATHER SMALL

We are pleased to announce that HEATHER SMALL will be coming to THAILAND to perform ALL THE HITS for charity...LIVE!
4 CONCERTS
4 LOCATIONS
MILLIONS RAISED FOR CHARITY

After selling several million records, winning two Brit Awards and the Mercury Music Prize, performing across the globe and recording a track that has become an unofficial national anthem - international anthem even!

The Award Winning singer from M PEOPLE is without doubt one of the most successful female recording artists of recent years and she is coming to Thailand. Heather will be singing LIVE all the hits such as 'Moving On Up', 'One Night In Heaven' and 'Search For The Hero' and of course the Olympic Anthem “Proud”

The evenings are in support of the MELISSA COSGROVE CHILDRENS FOUNDATION and the fundraisers will be held over 4-nights in late February and early March.

DATES:
BANGKOK- BRITISH CLUB LAWNS on FRIDAY 26th FEBRUARY
PATTAYA- CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT on SATURDAY 27th FEBRUARY
KOH SAMUI- KC RESORT on TUESDAY 02 MARCH

[NOTE: More INFO on all the shows and activity coming soon]

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
GIVING HOPE TO THOUSANDS

Award winning Fundraising guru Tracy Cosgrove has given hope to thousands of youngsters in Thailand through the Melissa Cosgrove Children's Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which she set up after seeing at first hand the terrible conditions in which many are forced to live.

Her transforming work in orphanages, street children's projects, and for Aids and disabled youngsters, has received international recognition - and inspired hundreds of people who have been touched by her courageous story.

Now based in Pattaya, Thailand the MCCF team is working alongside the booming construction industry to continue giving hope and improving the lives of children living with their parents in the many squalid labour camps around the cities of Pattaya and Bangkok.

The starting point is to try and give the child...
‘The day in the life of a child’
A decent meal... Some new clothes...
A fun swim... An education... And day care centres... Very basic things which we take for granted in the West but which these children do not receive...

DETAILS ON SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES please contact Tracy Cosgrove at travelswithmum@aol.co.uk or call
Thai / English speaking: 0843520309
English Speaking: 0843520299

PRESS ENQUIRIES, PR ACTIVITY AND EVENT INFORMATION please contact Ruskie at ruskiecleaver@gmail.com

Supported by the BIG organization
http://www.mccf.uk.com/
http://www.bigorganization.ning.com/ [VIDEOS ON-LINE HERE]

Heather Small to tour in October 2009

Heather Small has revealed on "The Wright Stuff" that she plans to hit the road again and tour this October.

Wright: "Well we've talked about dancing, what about singing, when are we going to see you singing again?"

Small: "Well I just finished touring, a week today actually, that was such fun that I think I might go back out there again in October."

Wright: "This year?"

Small: "Yeah, I loved it."
...
Small: "When I'm out there, it's such fun. If I've just finished a tour and someone gets in there quickly and says do you want to do it again, I say yes! yes!"

It's not suprising Heather wants to get back on the road following 15 successful gigs already this year, including a full UK tour. She's even playing London Pride next month!

If you want to be the first to find out when and where Heather is touring sign up to the news feed!

In Concert: Llandudno, Venue Cymru

Heather Small was on top form this Monday evening on the last night on her 2009 tour. I went along with two of my best friends and we had the best seats in the house. It was nearly full at the Welsh theatre and the crowd were up and dancing throughout.

Setlist:

I Don't Hurt Anymore

Heartbreak Hotel

Sight For Sore Eyes

One Night In Heaven

Pearls A Singer

Summertime
For Once In My Life
Take Me for a Buggy Ride
Fernando
Someday
How Can I Love You More?
Moving On Up

Encore:Nobody But You

Proud

Western Mail Interview

Heather Small has returned to her first passion – singing
May 30 2009 by Karen Price, Western Mail

After shimmying her way to success on Strictly Come Dancing, Heather Small has returned to her first passion – singing. As she prepares to visit Wales as part of her UK tour, she chats to Karen Price about jazzing up her sound

HEATHER SMALL is full of energy when she answers the phone to me.

“I took my son to school and then I went to the gym and now I’m making sure everything’s ready for a gig I’m doing in Budapest,” she says, giving me a brief run-through of her day so far.

It’s a private gig but the M People star admits she’s feeling a little anxious about it.

“I always get nervous,” she says.

With a wealth of hits under her belt – her distinctive voice has helped the band sell 10 million albums worldwide – she probably doesn’t need to feel that way but it’s obvious that Small thrives on adrenalin, just take her energetic dance performances on Strictly Come Dancing to start with.

This weekend she’s returning to Wales for a solo gig in the Welsh capital and she admits that it’s a place she’s very happy to be.

She’s already performed at the Millennium Stadium as part of the 2008 Grand Slam winning party and her son, James, is often there cheering on Wales in the rugby. The 12-year-old’s dad is Small’s former partner, Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards.

“It’s awesome, it’s got magic,” says Small of the Stadium.

“My son loves the rugby and coming to Cardiff to watch Wales. It’s really impressive hearing the Welsh fans singing.”

Tomorrow the singer will be at the much smaller St David’s Hall but she’s looking forward to the gig, for which she will be joined by the Snake Davis Band.

They performed with the soul star at the famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London last October when Small revealed her more jazzy side.

Now she will also be injecting some jazz into her Cardiff gig and a gig in Llandudno on Monday, which are part of her current UK tour.

But there will still be the old favourites too, like Moving On Up and Search For The Hero.

“I will be doing an amalgamation of what I think charts my musical journey,” she says.

“There will be things I really like, things that inspire me – from jazz, to blues, to pop. I’ve handpicked every song.”

Small has spent months pulling her repertoire together.

“I started listening to songs I really like and wrote down what I thought would make a good set.”

Small is delighted to be reunited with the Snake Davis Band. “They are people I feel very comfortable with,” she admits.

“If it’s not broken don’t fix it. We have a lovely rapport on stage and we have such a great time. It’s always interesting, always fun and never boring.”

With around 16 dates in her diary, Small admits that the tour is “quite big for me”.

But when we speak she clearly can’t wait to get back on the road.

“Once you get into the swing of it, it never leaves your blood,” she says of touring. “I’ve not toured as much recently as I’ve been at home with my son but he is older now and this isn’t a huge tour. I’m still going to be able to get home as much as possible, so it’s the best of both worlds.”

While Small is touring there won’t be much time for her to enjoy her latest passion – for dance.

The singer was among the contestants in the last series of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and she admits that, despite the nerves, she enjoyed her time on the show, which was won by Tom Chambers.

“I had a great time. Having to dance live to the nation takes you out of your comfort zone but I would still do it. My mother is a huge fan (of the series) and we still like to please our mums,” she laughs.

“The judges were harsh but I had real fun.”

Among those cheering her on was her friend Katherine Jenkins.

“She’s a sweet girl. We did some work in Cyprus together for the Forces. We had a giggle together.”

Small’s still in touch with many other contestants, including swimmer Mark Foster, and she’s now a member of a dance school run by Karen Hardy, one of Strictly’s professional dancers.

“I’ve not been because I’m busy but I will return,” she promises. “I love dance and learning a new skill.”

As far as her son is concerned, he appears to be taking after his dad with a passion for sport, although he also has a musical side.

“He is more of a sportsman but he loves playing the guitar,” says his proud mum. “He’s got a good teacher who’s inspired him and I’ve acquired some Jimi Hendrix T-shirts for him.”

Heather Small is at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, tomorrow and at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, on Monday

Nottingham Review

Review: Heather Small, Royal Concert Hall
Friday, May 29, 2009, 10:16

IT was hard to guess the act due on stage from the look of the audience last night.
Perhaps they were all thirty-somethings or in their 40s 20 years ago when Heather Small was big, if you know what I mean.
The feeling we were at a 60s revival wasn't helped much by the leader of the Snake Davis Band, in his leather trousers, egging everyone to "Have a good time, Nottingham – it's not a theatre, it's a dance floor…"
And yet, just maybe he'd judged the audience right, and the crowd had judged the gig spot on, for as early as the fourth number they were out of their seats for a boogie.
Heather started with a couple of bluesy numbers, and a laid-back Heartbreak Hotel.
The band backed Heather to the hilt for a hot 90 minutes on a balmy night. When she changed tilt into a vigorous M People number, they followed impeccably.
A shot at Abba's Fernando and the drawl of Elkie Brooks' Pearl's a Singer showed not just Heather, but old Snake at his best too, reaching for one of a myriad of saxophones, his speciality from the M People days of the 90s.
She must never have thought all those years ago that she'd have been singing to a third-full concert hall of grey-haired folk back in the clubbing heyday of her old band.
And it's not just on the back of her TV dancing contest that she's on the road. New albums are a regular item on the agenda.
Hits such as Pride, One Night In Heaven and Search For The Hero were used up early on and there was a little concern there might be nothing left in the tank for an encore.
But we'd forgotten about Moving on Up, and she left us with the satisfied feeling that the years have only matured her sound.
PATRICK ASTILL

Heather Small comes to Cardiff

Heather Small comes to Cardiff
May 28 2009 by Karen Price, South Wales Echo

Fans of Heather Small will be introduced to her jazzier side when she performs in Cardiff this weekend. But she tells Karen Price they can expect the old favourites too

HEATHER SMALL is preparing to take her Cardiff fans on a journey through her music.

The lead singer of M People, pictured right, who was introduced to a whole new audience when she took part in Strictly Come Dancing last year, is performing a solo gig in the Welsh capital this weekend.

And as well as singing the hits she’s renowned for with her group, such as Moving On Up and Search For The Hero, she will be revealing her jazzier side.

Last October the soul star performed at the famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London and she’s now introducing a jazz element to her tour.

But there will still be the old favourites too.

“I will be doing an amalgamation of what I think charts my musical journey,” she says.

“There will be things I really like, things that inspire me – from jazz, to blues, to pop. I’ve handpicked every song.”

Small has spent months pulling her repertoire together.

“I started listening to songs I really like and wrote down what I thought would make a good set.”

Small – who has a 12-year-old son, James, with her former partner, Welsh rugby coach Shaun Edwards – is joined on tour by the Snake Davis Band, who performed with her at Ronnie Scott’s.

“They are people I feel very comfortable with,” she admits.

“If it’s not broken don’t fix it. We have a lovely rapport on stage and we have such a great time. It’s always interesting, always fun and never boring.”

With 16 dates in her diary, Small admits the tour is “quite big for me”. But she’s clearly eager to get back on the road.

“Once you get into the swing of it, it never leaves your blood,” she says of touring.

“I’ve not toured as much recently as I’ve been at home with my son but he is older now and this isn’t a huge tour. I’m still going to be able to get home as much as possible, so it’s the best of both worlds.”

While Small is touring there won’t be much time for her to enjoy her latest passion – for dance.

The singer was among the contestants in the last series of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and she admits that, despite the nerves, she enjoyed her time on the show, which was won by Tom Chambers.

“I had a great time. Having to dance live to the nation takes you out of your comfort zone but my mother is a huge fan (of the series) and we still like to please our mums,” she laughs.

“The judges were harsh but I had real fun.”

She’s now a member of a dance school run by Karen Hardy, one of Strictly’s professional dancers.

“I’ve not been because I’m busy but I will return,” she promises.

“I love dance and learning a new skill.”

Heather Small is at St David’s Hall on Sunday. The box office number is 029 2087 8444

Norwich Review

Heather Small
ANDY RUSSELL

Last updated: 28/05/2009 08:50:00

Norwich Theatre Royal

Velvety-voiced diva Heather Small had Norwich rocking big time last night.

The singer, who found fame fronting M People, had the audience bopping after they were encouraged to turn the theatre into a dance hall.

Heather, who has one of the most distinctive and powerful voices in the music industry and multi-million record sales to her name, belted out a varied set including her favourite songs like Heartbreak Hotel, a beautiful version of Summertime and Elkie Brooks's Pearl's a Singer as well as jazz and blues numbers - all showing the extraordinary richness of her voice.

And anyone who finds live performances sometimes disap-pointing has never seen Heather, for throughout her energetic perfor-mance you could hear every word with no chance of her being drowned out by the superb Snake Davis Band, led expertly by the man himself on saxophone, and ringing applause.

But it was the M People hits that stole the show and the audience needed no encouragement to sing along to classic tracks, including Search for the Hero (which she dedicated to a man fighting cancer), Moving On Up, One Night in Heaven, Sight for Sore Eyes, How Can I Love You More and Someday.

But she reserved her biggest solo hit - Proud - for a richly-deserved encore and standing ovation.

She was supported by flautist Lucy Noble and her band which had really got the audience going.

Heather Small - big voice, big personality and big popularity. You did Norwich proud.

Norwich Evening News Interview

Interview: Heather Small

ABIGAIL SALTMARSH
22 May 2009



She has performed with Eric Clapton and Tom Jones, starred on Strictly Come Dancing and sold several million records. Now Heather Small who was summoned to perform before Oprah Winfrey is heading for Norwich. ABIGAIL SALTMARSH reports.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Heather Small didn't know how she was going to do it - but she did know she wanted to sing.

Now one of the UK's biggest and most recognisable voices, she has sold several million records, won two Brit Awards and the Mercury Music Prize and has recorded a track that has become an unofficial national anthem.

“I never really had a big plan,” she says, “I just knew I wanted to sing.”

Born to a bus conductor dad and a waitress mum in Ladbroke Grove in 1965, Heather grew up on a musical diet of everything from calypso to The Clash.

Always a natural dancer, she toyed with the idea of pursuing it and even narrowly missed an audition in front of West End diva Arlene Philips.

“My dance teacher said 'You've got a natural ability to dance, I want you to go along,' but I was too shy!” said Heather.

But eventually set her sights firmly on singing.



So, while most teenagers were spending their free time as far away from school as possible, Heather was busy in the school library digging out copies of Melody Maker and pouring over the Singers Wanted pages.

“My friends used to laugh,” she remembers. “They'd say: 'You're not going to reply to any of those ads,' but I'd just say: 'When I see the right ad, I'll know.'”

Heather finally “knew” when she saw an advert for a group name-checking her childhood heroes Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin.

She was invited for her first ever audition, won the rest of the band over as soon as she opened her mouth, and became the lead singer in Hot House.

And although Hot House only had a short lifespan, her powerful vocals brought her to the attention of Mike Pickering, a DJ at Manchester's legendary Haçienda nightclub.

The pair bonded so well that an initial lunch meeting turned into a lunch, dinner, then on-to-a-nightclub meeting, with Heather then heading over to Mike's studio to listen to the songs he'd written with her in mind.

It was there that she met Paul Heard and M People was born. “I don't know the figures of how many records we sold; I'm not interested,” she says. “What's important to me, when I look back, is did I enjoy it? Did I do the best I could? And I did.”

With hits such as Moving On Up, One Night In Heaven and Search For The Hero and albums like Elegant Slumming, Bizarre Fruit and Fresco achieving massive worldwide success, Heather became one of the seminal British voices of the 1990s.

The band won the Best British Dance Act Award at the Brits in 1994 and 1995, as well as the Mercury Music Prize for Elegant Slumming.

But after taking a break, Heather decided to take a chance and try going down the solo route. “The decision to make a solo album was a creative one, a challenge that gave me the chance to be more involved in the writing process,” she explains. “I wanted to show that I was not just a voice, that there was another side to me.”

One of the first songs to emerge from Heather's new found creative freedom was Proud, co-written with Peter Vetesse. It was to become the lead track from her debut solo album of the same name - and the song that was to catapult her career into a whole new realm.

When Britain won the Olympic bid, Heather was there singing Proud, as she was at the 60th anniversary of VE Day in Trafalgar Square, the launch of Queen Mary II and the celebrations following England's victory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

And when Oprah Winfrey was looking for a song to sum up the work she'd been striving to achieve over her 25-year career, she got in touch with Heather, who somehow managed to squeeze in a trip across the Atlantic to perform on the show slap bang in the middle of her last UK tour with M People.

“If Oprah calls, you go!” she laughs.

But never one to get complacent, Heather's been busy pushing herself in all sorts of creative directions.

With the Proud album well and truly proving that she could cut the mustard on her own, she embarked on solo tours around the UK, showcasing her own material and a selection of her favourite jazz and soul standards.

One of the highlights of Heather's time as a solo artist has been 2005's Tsunami Relief Concert at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium, where she performed alongside Eric Clapton, the Manic Street Preachers and Charlotte Church, helping to raise £1.25 million.

Throw in a single with the legendary Tom Jones (the duet You Need Love Like I Do, which features on his Reload album), a performance of Set Them Free with Sting at the Brits, an acclaimed gig at Ronnie Scott's, a star turn in the Vagina Monologues on the West End stage, and performances in TV's Strictly Come Dancing - and it all adds up to a busy few years.

So what gives her the impetus to keep challenging herself? “If you got the feeling I do when I sing,” she smiled, “You'd understand.”



Heather Small plays Norwich Theatre Royal on May 27.

Elmbridge Guardian Fairfield Hall Review

Small makes a huge impact
3:25pm Friday 22nd May 2009

By Nathan Woolford »

Heather Small, one of the quintessential voices of the mid-1990s, proved she hasn't lost one bit of her fearsome vocal range with a commanding, crowd-pleasing performance at Fairfield Hall on Tuesday.

Belting out an intriguing blend of recogniseable hits from her days with chart-busters M-People together with a collection of personal favourites from days gone by, Small's charisma and charm shone through on a night which had the Croydon audience dancing in the aisles.

Looking stunning in a jet black cocktail dress, the 44-year-old songstress wore a hyena-like grin throughout her hour-long set, and appeared to be having the time of her life in each and every minute of it.

Backed up by the Snake Davis Band, Small's song selection was unique as she criss-crossed old M-People favourites with a selection of songs that remain close to her heart. As such, Moving On Up, Search for the Hero and One Night in Heaven were mingled with her personalised versions of Abba's Fernando, the Elvis classic Heartbreak Hotel and even the ultra-mellow Elkie Brooks hit Pearl's a Singer.

Indeed, Small paid tribute to Brooks early on in the show, citing her as a major influence and mentor. Midway through her performance, as she reeled off back-to-back jazz numbers, the impact of Brooks could clearly be seen as Small captivated her audience with an eerie, almost haunting singing style - a complete departure from her powerful trademark voice.

The Croydon crowd were also treated to a memorable warm-up act in the form of energetic flautist Lucy Noble, whose enchanting performance, along with a three-piece band, was a brave but beautiful way to open up the show

Big voice of M People's Heather Small Interview

Big voice of M People's Heather Small
SARAH HARDY

Last updated: 22/05/2009 08:45:00


Heather Small.
Her songs are ones which force you out of your chair and on to the dance floor. They are, quite simply, anthems that always bring a smile to your face and a wriggle to your backside!

As the lead singer of Manchester band M People, Heather, from London, was responsible for Moving On Up, Search for the Hero and One Night In Heaven - all tracks which sound as great today as they did 10 to 15 years ago.

Yet Heather Small, the owner of this voice and, incidentally, a very hearty laugh, isn't your typical monosyllabic pop star who doesn't have much to say for herself. Indeed, once she gets going, it's quite hard to butt in, especially when she's talking about the twin passions in her life - her young son James and music!

She grew up in south London, the daughter of a bus conductor and a waitress, and didn't have any great ambition except to sing and, on becoming a teenager, spent hours in the school library, searching through the likes of Melody Maker for possible auditions.

One ad, she explains, cited Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight as inspiration and this appealed to her as they were her childhood stars, too. Thus she joined the short-lived Hot House band which brought her to the now infamous Hacienda Club in Manchester, where she met Paul Heard and they formed M People. Apart from selling 10 million records, picking up two Brit Awards and touring all over the world, Heather made enough cash to become financially secure for the rest of her life.

Looking for yet more highs, she went solo after a few years and again achieved success with two albums, Proud and Close to A Miracle. A relationship with rugby star Shaun Edwards and the birth of James in 2000 saw her career take a backseat, with the odd gig and recording, but Heather burst back on to the public stage last year when she took part in Strictly Come Dancing, the hit BBC series which was aired on Saturdays and Sundays.

Partnering American Brian Fortuna, she got a hard time from the judges but the public loved her. “It was a scream,” she says. “All that big hair, I was over made up, over dressed - it was great,” she giggles. It was the series that included BBC journalist Peter Sergeant and Heather was one of his biggest fans. “He was great fun, all the contestants were, it was a great experience.”



Known as the salsa queen, Heather displayed great athleticism and guts during her time in the show and indeed made in through to week eight, which is no mean feat. “We worked hard, you had to rehearse and rehearse, I am pretty fit but I certainly had to use muscles that I didn't know I had,” she says.

Heather has kept up her dancing skills, saying: “I try to get to a dance studio most weeks, I really do love it.”

Now Heather is embarking on a short spring tour, mixing up new material and old classics. “Yes, I can't just disappear from home for weeks, it's not what I would want. I need to be with James, watch him play rugby, I don't want to miss any of it.”

She adds that her son is also musical, playing both the guitar and piano. “But I don't know what he'll end up doing, he just likes to be with his friends at the moment.”

She thinks that she might one day have a house in the country but feels that she needs to stay in London for her son's school and friends. “It's not an option at the moment but I don't need all the things London has at the moment - I don't go out all the time to clubs, that's for sure!” she laughs.

She has also branched out into acting, appearing in the Vagina Monologues, where a group of actresses relate extraordinary tales about women and their often tragic experiences. “It was a learning experience and you have to be so respectful of the material - they are people's real stories. “If any more acting came along I'd give it a go - I'd really like to be in the No 1 Detective Agency series, it's a real favourite of mine.”

Heather, who is 44, arrives in Norwich for a one-night gig which will see her mix up her back catalogue with newer numbers. “Well, most important of all it should be a fun evening - I'll perform for an hour and a half - and it will chart my journey as a vocalist. I hope it will be uplifting, a bit cheeky, too,” she says.


Heather with M People.
And she admits that half the fun is getting glammed up! “It is rather nice now and again.

“I love Ben de Lisi dresses, but they can be a bit restrictive for the show so I'm not sure yet what I'll wear!” she says. Heather will also be battling with one of her biggest problems - her nerves.

If you saw her on Strictly, you'll know that she definitely does suffer and it is not something that seems to get better with time.

“I guess that I care as much as ever. I always sing like it is going to be the last show of my life, I give it everything that I have.”

After the tour, Heather has her eye on the summer holidays. “I'm planning a few trips, to the south of France and maybe Mauritius.”

Mmm, one night in heaven, indeed!

t Heather Small appears at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, on Wednesday, May 27. Tel 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Heather talks to Andy Goulding on Mercia FM

Heather Small chats to Andy Goulding on his breakfast show before her UK tour. Click here to listen to it again on mercia fm.

Win tickets to see Heather in Cheltenham

If you want the chance to win a pair of tickets to see Heather Small play Cheltenham Town Hall on the 30th May, then enter this competition courtesy of Crackerjack.

Interview with Jez Sands

Heather Small talks to Jez Sands about singing, dancing and what makes her proud.
Wednesday 13th May 2009

By Jez Sands

Heather Small found international success as the lead singer of pop band M People in the 1990s. She was in the public eye again when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year and she performed her hit single Proud at the Visa London 2012 party to celebrate the handover of the Olympic Games from China to Britain last August - now she’s touring with renowned jazz musician Snake Davis. She talks to Jez Sands about her music, her dancing and her new shows.

You’re working with Snake Davis who’s best known as a jazz musician. Isn’t that a departure from what people would usually expect you to sing?

No, I’ve been doing shows with him on and off for the past few years and the show’s changed a lot. I’ve worked with Snake since M People. He played sax with M People. Snake is varied. The show I’m doing incorporates some jazz, blues, pop and the set at Ronnie Scott’s was just a pure jazz and blues set. If you’re a musician, you just love music so I wanted to do things which first and foremost touched me and suited my voice. I previewed the show at IndigO2 a few weeks back and it was fantastic reception - I had an absolute ball and such a fun time on stage. And as I said, I did stuff which really meant something to me. There’s Bessie Smith in there, there’s also an Elkie Brooks song in there.

Which Elkie Brooks song is it?

Pearl’s a Singer. I love that song. It’s the sort of song that makes you think, “oh, I want to be a singer”

Have you always been interested in jazz and blues?

My voice is not the straight soul voice and I realised it does quite suit a bluesy jazzy style. Not straight up jazz, I’m not the scatting kind! (Laughs) That sort of warmth, that sort of freestyle, that ability to interpret the music as you like where there’s not rigid beats and you pull the tempo forwards, you pull it back, you play with it, you don’t always go to what would be seen as the next note in the grade – I like that. There’s a certain freedom to it. You still have to keep control, you still have to know where the melody is and everything, but you can play with it.

And that can happen with the M People songs as well because I feel now I’m a much more accomplished singer. Those songs are big songs and they’re quite strenuous but I have the technique now to just deliver them sometimes with a little twist. At the Ronnie Scott’s shows I did a couple of M People songs but I did them totally different. I won’t be doing that on this show because they are songs people know and I haven’t been out there in a long time. And I am also a fan so if I go to see someone like Tina Turner, I want to hear some of those songs. I want to hear it how it is on record.

I am mindful some of the songs have a special place in people’s hearts. That’s the thing about being in music, singing and being a musician. Sometimes the same music comes out just because you feel differently and sometimes the audience’s reaction is different. At Ronnie Scott’s I did do Proud – they wouldn’t let me go on stage without doing it. (Laughs). But towards the end, the crowd were going crazy and I extended it and did something else with it and that would never have happened without the live audience and their appreciation and that excitement does touch you.

I did want to talk to you a little about Strictly Come Dancing...

(Laughs)

But you must be sick to death of questions about it...

(More laughter) No, no, actually it’s fine, because I had such fun doing it. My mother is a mad keen fan and I had turned them down a few times. We had gone through a family illness and I thought, you know what, my mum’s a huge fan and I do love to dance. Whether or not people want to see me dancing or not, I don’t know. (Laughs> And I thought, why not, it’ll be fun. And it was, it was frivolous and fun and there are not many things in life you can do which don’t have horrible repercussions. (Laughs)

Would you do it again?

Yeah I would. It’s quite different because you are learning a skill and you know I sing and I interpret music with my voice, so for me it’s a natural thing for me to interpret music with my body. I enjoy learning the dance moves with my partner more than the Saturday night because the Saturday night I was always full of nerves. But learning to dance and learning the steps, I had a ball. We giggled non-stop, Ryan and me. And I met Brian (Fontana) and I always keep in contact with him. Mark Foster’s an absolute gem, such a lovely man, so there’s another friend for life. It was a very good experience for me.

How does it compare to singing on stage?

It’s different but I have to say I was nervous. I’m always nervous. The difference is with singing, I know that when I get that mic in my hand on stage and I’m ready, I’m ready. But I never had that feeling of being ready on a Saturday night. (Laughs) My guts were nearly on my feet. I was very nervous. When I get on stage, the nerves abate when I sing, but I was just nervous the entire time (Laughs). The whole of Saturday night in fear. (Laughs)

Are you still dancing now the show’s finished?

I’ve tried to keep it up. Last few weeks I’ve been slacking because I’ve been out of the country but Karen Hardy has a dance studio, so I’ve joined her and I have a lovely dance instructor called Emma. They said I could wait and have a male instructor but I said no, I’ll take who you have. Well, when I was on the show, I had nothing to sell; I just decided to do it. The funny thing is, when the time comes and you crack it and you have your back straight and you dance with your partner, there is a feeling of serenity.

Scares the life out of me...

(Laughs) That’s why half the people watch. There’s half that would love to do and the other half that think, ‘oh my gosh you’re crazy to do it.’

With a lot of bands getting back together, would reforming M People be something you’d consider doing?
I know you toured a little bit last year… I’ll always perform live, because when I go on stage it’s an absolute joy, it’s real fun, people are smiling, we love it and it’s what I yearn for but from there I had opportunity to do so many different things with singing. So it’s always a joy to get on stage and play with the guys.

You’ve worked with Snake, is there anybody else you’d like to collaborate with in the future?

Nobody else in particular, but I’ve always liked Missy Elliot. That would be interesting. I like her, she’s succeeded in a very male-orientated sphere and she’s very very good, not just with performing but with producing as well.

Is producing something you would consider doing?

Oh good lord, I’m such a technophobe. (Laughs) I couldn’t guarantee it would come out well, it would be more experimental. (Laughs). I know what I like and I know what I like to hear, that’s for sure and I trust my ears always but to put all the elements together, I would find that challenging.

Tell us a bit about your involvement in the Olympic hand-over ceremony.

Like I said before, I was nervous, but the moment I stepped out on stage with all those people cheering and waving British flags, it really floored me. It was very humbling and it was so unifying. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. To sing outside as well was incredible, it’s just like dancing outside, to do what you do outside and see all those people have actually turned up. (Laughs)

What are your plans for the future?

I don’t know. I will always sing. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be making any more records, but I’ll always sing because it’s in my blood. Seeing my son through his school years and making sure he does well. And also, I’m involved with a lot of charities. Barnardo’s is my main priority and I would like to do as much as I possibly can for them.

And lastly, and you’re going to hate me for this, but I promised I’d ask...

What have I done to make myself proud? (Laughs uproariously)

Er...yeah...

Well, it’s about the little things you do. I came home late last night from Budapest and I made sure I got up this morning at 6am, so I could get my son ready and take him to the bus stop.

I was worried the answer might be, “putting up with your questions”

(Laughs) No. That’s easy.

Heather Small will be performing with the Snake Davis Band at Fairfield Halls May 19. 020 8688 9291 fairfield.co.uk. £24 & £25.

Croydon Today Interview

Music: Heather Small
Monday, May 11, 2009,

"Star Interview
"What have you done today to make you feel proud?" asks Heather Small's most famous solo hit.
This has become the maxim she lives her life by, but it's also inspired everything from sports teams to cruise liners since it was released in 2000.

The singer with the big voice and even bigger hair was part of one of the country's most famous bands of the 90s, M People.

With hits like Search For The Hero, Sight For Sore Eyes and Moving On Up, M People had huge success over seven albums with Small's distinctive voice making each song instantly recognisable.

They've recently played a few gigs in European cities and still make one off appearances, but Small says it's unlikely they'll reform.
"Sometimes you think about it, but in the cold light of day I always think 'no, we did what we did and we'll leave it at that'.
"But it was an amazing thing to have been part of, and to go out on stage, sing one note and have the audience know the song and sing it back is a lovely feeling."

Despite these great memories and still being good friends with her bandmates, Small says at the moment she's enjoying being a solo artist.
Her first of three solo albums, Proud, was released in 2000 and included the Tom Jones duet You Need Love Like I Do.
She's no on her latest solo tour which visits Fairfield this week.

"Live is live so I always love performing, but the thing I prefer about being on my own is that I'm not just singing M People songs.

"I can do different songs by different artists such as Abba and Elkie Brooks.
"I performed at the O2 recently and the venue was lovely - modern, beautiful and made for purpose.

"Really I'm just happy people come to see me! And it's nice to go to places like Croydon where people don't have to trek all the way into London."

Small also performed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Cafe last year as a solo artist, and at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium to celebrate Wales' success at the 2008 Grand Slam.

Rugby and Heather Small? It's not as unlikely a combination as you might at first think.
Proud, from the album by the same name, has become Small's signature solo tune and has been adopted by the Rugby World Cup 2003, the VE Day 60th anniversary celebrations and the launch of the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship.
Most recently, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic committee have taken on Proud as their theme song.

"The song has taken me to so many different places, from schools to sports grounds to churches, so it symbolises music as a unifying force.
"For me, I wanted to write a song that I could sing wholeheartedly - if you have a modicum of success you have to be careful it doesn't become about the trappings of fame, and that you're still bringing something to the table.

"But Proud has grown out of my hands now and when I saw the video that had been put together for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics it was very emotional. To be chosen for that theme song is so fantastic."

Even those too young to remember M People's hits will know Small from her recent stint on the BBC celebrity dancing contest Strictly Come Dancing.

Along with professional dance partner Brian Fortuna, she stayed until a very respectable eighth week before being voted off the show by viewers.

"My family are huge fans and I love to dance, so even though I said no at first I had to do it.
"It was hilarious! I had such fun with Brian and we're friends for life.
"I wasn't in it to win it, but even if I was I think the judges had other ideas!"

Small almost found herself up in front of notoriously tough judge Arlene Philips once before while she was still at school.
"I was very, very shy and my teacher said I was good at dancing so I should audition for Arlene Philips - I couldn't go because I was just too nervous."

She may be famous for her huge, confident voice, but Small says she still suffers from nerves.
"I'm always a bit nervous because I always want to do my best.
"With the first band I auditioned for you can hear the paper I was holding rattling on the audition tape.
"When I see young people auditioning on TV programmes now I think 'Oh my goodness'."
Small has an 11-year-old son who she's encouraging to be more outgoing.

"You try to encourage them not to be shy when you are because if you don't put yourself forward, people think you're not going to deliver.
"It's the people who talk themselves up who get the gig, even if they're not the best."
Once her tour is over Small is looking forward to a relaxing holiday with her son.

She's also performing at Gay Pride in London this summer.
"I'll be doing lots of M People stuff there. I always have fun at Pride because the audience like my voice and it's just a really fun atmosphere."
Heather Small is at Fairfield on Tuesday, May 19 at 8pm.
Tickets from £24, call 020 8688 9291.

Summer Tour 2009 Support Act Announced

The Support Act for Heather's summer 12 date tour will be Lucy Noble, who is an accomplished flute player. Check her official web page.

The UK Tour 2009

Heather Small went go on a 12 date tour for 2009.



Tour press release
"Undoubtedly one of the best female British soul singers of recent years, Heather Small is best known for fronting the hugely successful 90s band, M People.

Small's career has spanned over seventeen years with M People hits including One Night In Heaven, Moving On Up and Search For The Hero to name but a few, and also as a solo artist with Proud. Small has always remained in the public eye having performed at the 2012 party to celebrate the handover of the Olympic games from Beijing to London. The song Proud was the unofficial song for Team GB in 2004 and is the official anthem to the London games in 2012.

Never afraid to challenge herself, Heather Small also appeared in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing 2008. Partnering up with Brian Fortuna Heather danced her way through to a very respectable 8th week before being voted off. Now

Heather Small will head back to her roots and love of music on Tour Summer 2009."

The support act for all dates was Lucy Noble.

Sample Setlist:
I Don't Hurt Anymore (Dinah Washington cover)
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley cover)
Sight For Sore Eyes (M People)
One Night In Heaven (M People)
Pearls A Singer (Elkie Brooks' cover)
Summertime (Jazz standard written by George Gershwin)
Take Me for a Buggy Ride (Bessie Smith cover)
Fernando (Abba cover)
Someday (M People)
How Can I Love You More? (M People)
Rise Up (Solo)
Moving On Up (M People)

Encore:
Nobody But You (Gladys Knight and The Pips cover)
Proud (Solo)

See all the interviews and reviews from the tour here.