Helen Sanderson White is a singer-songwriter, writer, composer, vocal coach and artist based in Buckinghamshire, UK. She began songwriting in her teens and to date has released five studio albums and numerous singles. Helen loves to work with other musicians and has collaborated with artists from a variety of genres including dance, folk, jazz and soul. She has worked with The English Jazz Orchestra, Rachael Forsyth, Darren Hayman, Jazz Community Church, Ruth Carlyle, Liquidscreamer and Nikki Noodles.
She has been described as a purveyor of beautiful, crafted, thought provoking music and “Fresh, beautiful and profound”. Her lyrics are sung with a striking purity and clarity. Described by Liquidscreamer as, “Beautiful, with just enough of a slight dark edge”, Helen’s songs are not afraid to ask some difficult questions, while delivering memorable vocal and instrumental hooks. Described by Cross Rhythms “Finely-crafted pop songs, driven home by little hooks that get under your skin.”
Her first album “Conversations With The Heart” was released in June 2004 on an independent label. This then led to other albums and EPs such as “Fallen But Not Fatal” (2006), “The Sanctus Project” (2010) and in 2011 she joined forces with Resound Media and released “At Second Glance” which was produced by Andy Baker. This EP spawned hits such as “Do You Seek An Answer” which was number 1 in both the UK and Europe in the New Christian Music chart, and “Surrounded By Love” which reached number 4. In 2011 one of the highlights for Helen was winning the UK Christian Music Award for “NCM Contemporary Artist (England)” which was presented to her by country music legend, George Hamilton IV.
The Sirens and Other Mysteries EP was released in 2013, and is a slow burning collection of intensely personal tracks. Predominantly led by Helen’s piano and vocals, it also sees her reunite with producer Andy Baker. The opener “Without You” showcases a more soul-influenced style than Helen’s previous recordings, featuring some subtle guitar work from Baker that recalls Sade.
In 2017, Helen released the singles “What Am I Meant To Do This Love” and “Twenty Eight Days“ from the eagerly awaited project Sketchbook:The Demos. In 2018, she was commissioned by the Centre for Buckinghamshire to write songs for their Great War Showcase; this spawned the hit “Are You Coming Home?” which was featured on the Nick Coffer Show on BBC Three Counties Radio and also an a cappella song, “All For Love” which was written for Remembrance Sunday. During the pandemic, she released “Where Are You God?” was interviewed by Victoria Park Baptist Church in Bristol about her reasons for writing the song. The interview was used as part of their church service.
The charity RESTORED exhibited Helen’s painting Walking Into The Light as part of their seminar on International Day Against Violence Against Women (25 November 2021). This was part of the United Nations’ Global 16 Days Campaign which takes each year led by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL).
Known for her blog writing on the life and realities of being a life long creative, Helen embarked on writing a book with fellow musician and creative Rachael Forsyth entitled The Resilient Artist. The book was published in June 2021, looks at the issues that artists encounter with their journey with creativity.
Helen is a mentor for Sputnik Network of Artists and also was a trustee for Jazz Community Church in Birmingham.
Listen to Helen’s music.
Learn more about Helen – read her Wikipedia page
Helen Sanderson White 