A very enjoyable recording session spent with the hugely talented Shulah Oliver and Rebecca Rose at 300 Acre Studios. I approached Shulah to write a string arrangement of one of my favourite songs and she did not disappoint! My thanks to Shulah and Rebecca for their beautiful performances and Nathan Morris (Engineer) for a great recording session.
About Sheila
Sheila is a UK based vocalist, composer and band leader with a style that draws upon jazz, blues, soul, folk and Latin influences. Working in all musical settings, from a piano duo up to a 17 piece Big Band, Sheila can be seen performing at jazz venues, events and festivals throughout the Country. She regularly guests with many of the UK’s top Big Bands whilst performing with her own band. She has appeared at London’s Jazz Cafe, The Millennium Dome, CBS Arena, Ronnie Scott’s and has been a regular favourite at the Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival. Sheila is an established name on the UK jazz scene and enjoys collaborations and performances with many of the UK’s respected musicians.
Sheila is the youngest of seven sisters, many of whom chose music as a career path. Sheila’s love of music and singing started at a very young age and was largely influenced by her Irish Mother who also came from a musical family, her encouragement and guidance resulted in Sheila’s first festival performance at the tender age of eight. Sheila went on to win the title of All England Champion in Traditional Irish Singing with a subsequent live performance on Radio Eireann. Growing up in a large musical family, Sheila was exposed to many genres of music but she fondly remembers listening to the big band sounds of Glenn Miller and many of the jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee. Sheila continued to perform at festivals and events in England and Ireland whilst also studying piano with the London College of Music.
Studio Albums:
2013 – Album ‘I Wish You Love’ – Graham Dent, Steve Street, Mike Green, Andy Davey, David Williams.
2015 – Album ‘Reverie’ – John Hodgetts, Adrian Litvinoff, Federico Girlando, Gary Barnacle, Ian Chalk, Alan Wakeman, Si Hayden.
2019 – EP ‘A Better Place’ – Richard Jones, Matt Ball, Wayne Matthews, Mike Green, David Anderson, Jim Bashford, Tom Voce, David Williams, Rebecca Rose, Julianne Bourne, Bryan Corbett, Chris Aldridge.
2022 – Album ‘Every Sunrise’ – Richard Jones, Dean Stockdale, David Williams, Matt Ball, David Anderson, Jim Bashford, Fino Lopes, Chris Gibbons, Wayne Matthews, Tom Voce, Mike Green, Bryan Corbett, Chris Aldridge, Rebecca Rose, Julianne Bourne.
In 2016, due to ill health, Sheila had to take a break from live performance, it was during this time that Sheila began writing her own compositions. The solo project ‘Every Sunrise’ was written during a period of six months, the first studio recordings of this new material took place in 2019. The songs tell stories of loss, self discovery, hope, gratitude, love and belief. In that same year Sheila released a selection of these recordings in the form of a 5 track EP – ‘A Better Place’.
Sheila is delighted to have completed the ‘Every Sunrise’ project – the full album was released in December 2022 and is available on all major platforms and to purchase here!
2026 is proving to be a very creative and productive year ….. Sheila is collaborating on several new projects and looking forward to releasing new music!
July 2024 – Birmingham Jazz Festival
I had a very enjoyable few days performing at four venues in the Birmingham region as part of the 40th Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival. Huge congratulations to Festival Director, Jim Simpson for receiving an Honourary Doctorate in music in recognition of his many years’ work on the festival and in music around Birmingham – a fantastic achievement, well done Jim, hugely deserved!
Pictured here with the lovely Sarah Yang (Festival Coordinator) and friends.
July 2024 – Apollo Big Band
Fabulous to be back at Sutton Hall, Stockcross with the wonderful Apollo Big Band!
June 2024 – D-Day 80th Anniversary
It was a great honour and privilege to perform at such a special and poignant event – the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. My thanks to Sharmanaires Big Band for the invitation. It was a lovely evening, filled with music and dance!
June 2024 – New Release
It was so lovely to work with Geoff Tooley on an acoustic version of ‘Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying’ – (Gerry & The Pacemakers). The song has long been a favourite of mine and one I always planned to record. My thanks to Geoff for playing so beautifully and to Nathan Morris for the mix.
June 2024 – The Blue Piano
A lovely gig on a warm Summer’s evening at this wonderful venue. It was a pleasure to sing in the lovely gardens of such an iconic venue with the most amazing musicians – Tim Amann (piano), Trevor Lines (bass), Keith York (drums), and Sam Rogers (sax). A huge thank you to Geri Nardi for the invitation and for being such a wonderful host.
May 2024 – Birmingham Big Band
I was invited to sing with the fabulous Birmingham Big Band this month at one of their regular lunch time concerts. Our lovely audience was hugely appreciative of our set which included songs from artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Anita O’Day, Helen O’Connell, Sarah Vaughan and many more – a brilliant afternoon!
April 2024 – The Tower of Song
A lovely guest appearance at The Tower of Song with Gary Allcock’s All Star Band – Keith Bill (piano), Tom Hill (bass), Gary Allcock (drums), also joined by Antonio Soccio (trumpet). My first appearance at the venue and what a lovely afternoon it was. My thanks to the wonderful Gary Allcock for inviting me.
March 2024 – The Blue Notes
Great to be back at The Silvershine Jazz Club for a guest appearance with the fabulous ‘Blue Notes’. Steeped in history, the jazz club, formerly known as ‘Bearwood Corks’, was the home of the legendary Andy Hamilton MBE. Heartfelt thanks to Paul Foad – Andy Hamilton’s Son-in-Law and the brilliant Blue Notes for having me.
March 2024 – The Trumpet Jazz Club
This month marks ten wonderful years performing at the legendary Trumpet. This iconic venue is run by Musti and Diane who both work tirelessly to promote and host live music seven nights a week. A real gem of a venue and one of the best live music venues in the Midlands region …. long may it continue!
February 2024 – Valentine’s Concert
What a joy, once again to perform with The Stadium Big Band at their Valentine’s Concert. The band, directed by the wonderful Paul Drakeley was on fine form and performed many of the timeless classics from the Big Band era and beyond. It was wonderful to perform to a full house, a lovely evening!
January 2024 – Bryan Corbett Benefit Concert
I was delighted and honoured to perform at a benefit concert to raise much needed funds for Bryan’s cancer surgery. The event, which was held at the legendary Silvershine Club in Bearwood, was greatly supported. It was wonderful to see so many musicians coming together in support of the cause. There was so much love in the room for Bryan. A beautiful evening!
Photo Credit: Garry Corbett
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Past Shows
| 09 Jan 2026 | Sheila Waterfield & Geoff Tooley (Gtr) | Shipmans Northampton. 8pm | Northampton. 8pm | ||
| 07 Mar 2026 | Sheila Waterfield w Sounds Easy Big Band | Grafton House Lincs. 7.30pm | Lincs. 7.30pm | ||
| 08 May 2026 | Vintage Swing - 81st Anniversary VE Day | Charlemont Social Club West Bromwich. 7.30pm | West Bromwich. 7.30pm | ||
| 13 Jun 2026 | Sheila Waterfield w Sounds Easy Big Band | Grafton House Lincs. 7.30pm | Lincs. 7.30pm | ||
| 11 Jul 2026 | Sheila Waterfield w Sounds Easy Big Band | Lincs Jazz Festival. Lincs Cathedral. 12.30pm | Lincs Cathedral. 12.30pm | ||
| 26 Jul 2026 | Sheila Waterfield & Richard Jones (Piano) | Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival Old Joint Stock, B'ham. B2 5NY. 1.45pm | Old Joint Stock, B'ham. B2 5NY. 1.45pm | ||
| 01 Aug 2026 | Sheila Waterfield & Geoff Tooley (Guitar) | Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival Bank Restaurant, B'ham. B1 2JB. 2.30pm | Bank Restaurant, B'ham. B1 2JB. 2.30pm | ||
| 02 Aug 2026 | Sheila Waterfield & Geoff Tooley (Guitar) | Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival Noel's Restaurant, B'ham. B1 1SN. 1pm. | Noel's Restaurant, B'ham. B1 1SN. 1pm. | ||
| 06 Sep 2026 | Sheila Waterfield Trio | Northampton Music Festival All Saints Church. 5pm | All Saints Church. 5pm | ||
| 25 Sep 2026 | Sheila Waterfield w/ Tim Amann Trio | The Trumpet Bilston. WV14 0EP. 8pm. | Bilston. WV14 0EP. 8pm. |
More dates to be announced!
“Sheila provides the charisma and exceptional vocal talent to make any event a musical experience not to be missed !”
Festival of Song, Cheltenham
“It was great to see such a polished performance.”
Ron Bailey, Jazz Live Grimsby
“Whether performing a smooth Rogers & Hart ballad to a big band Miller arrangement, Sheila has the ability to capture the essence of a melody and lyric with passion.”
Big Band Festival, Aberdeenshire
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