Heather Simmons has become one of the top vocalists to sing jazz from the early twenties through to the 40's dance band era. Heather is a hugely entertaining performer as she can belt out a raunchy 'Bessie Smith' blues; make you laugh with Rose Murphy's 'Busy Line' or have you fall in love with a velvety ballad such as 'Embraceable You'.
Heather has a great way of interacting with her audience: she is funny, knowledgable about the era of music she sings and is completely natural. She also loves to look the part and has been known to wear a different dress for every set.
Heather has sung at the famous Ronnie Scott's club to a packed house with her vocal group The Swinging Belles. She has been asked to perform with the world famous Pasadena Roof Orchestra; Humphrey Lyttleton’s band; Digby Fairweather; Harry Strutters Band; John Sutton’s London Hot Rhythm Boys and many more. She has been booked by De Beers Diamonds to sing in Kensington Palace and asked to sing in some of New York’s top jazz clubs with Woody Allen’s musical director. Heather is seen every month singing with the Boisdale Blue Rhythm band at one of London’s most exclusive jazz restaurants: Boisdale of Belgravia. She is also busy with corporate functions and weddings.
Heather is now playing double bass and singing with a delightful trio called The Daisy Bowlers. They are a quirky acoustic band playing vintage tunes with 3 part vocal harmonies. They are receiving rave reviews wherever they play.. "Love this fab band, saw them play in Southend-on-Sea last week, best harmonies I've heard and talking to them afterwards they have written all their own arrangements, sounds great with the double bass, guitar and ukulele - swingin!" Steel String Sally.
Heather writes her own songs too. Ken Barnes who produced albums for Peggy Lee said of Heather’s writing.. “Heather Simmons is a young lady with a deep appreciation of what good song writing is all about. She is a writer that knows her craft. Miss Simmons has the taste, the talent and the certitude to create songs that any singer of quality would be glad to sing”. It seems that he was right; Heather’s songs have already been recorded by other internationally known musicians and received national radio play on Radio 2 and Jazz FM.
Humphrey Lyttelton was very complimentary about Heather's singing; he loved her album and asked Heather to sing with his band at The Bulls Head and he gave her airplay on his show. Another fan of Heather is Don Black (the world renowned lyricist of such songs as Diamonds Are Forever, Born Free, To Sir With Love..). Don was "blown away by Heather. It is a long time since I have heard a singer that is so identifiable. She gets into the soul of the song and turns out to be a song writer's best friend: capturing every nuance of the lyricist's intent. This girl comes along like a breath of fresh air. I wouldn't mind placing a large wager on Heather Simmons becoming a major international star, and for the sake of the music industry the sooner the better".
If you were to ask Heather herself what is her biggest achievement as a musician so far, she would say that it is to "have had the pleasure of performing with some of the greatest jazz musicians and earning their respect".