As recent winner of the Best Jazz Act at the 2020 MOBO Awards to being supported by British Hollywood star John Boyega, ICMP Vocals alumna Ego Ella May has enjoyed some great success since leaving our classroom. 

Taking inspiration from the classic soul and R&B of greats such as Ella Fitzgerlad and Stevie Wonder to contemporary stars including Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, this South London singer songwriter has dazzled many with her beautiful voice and on-point lyrics. 

Some highlights include picking up plaudits from BBC 6 Music’s arbiter of taste Gilles Peterson, hooking up with the brilliant bastion of all things neo-soul Tru Thoughts and headlining the Roundhouse Rising event series

Along with the likes of Moses Boyd, the Ezra Collective and Nubya Garcia, Ella has been heralded as a potent force in the youthful rush of London jazz. This new wave of talent has skillfully redefined sonic perceptions of the genre by drawing on hip hop, grime and contemporary soul. 

Her recent album, ‘Honey for Wounds’ , was released to great acclaim via John Boyega’s Upper Room Records during summer of 2020. 

In 2022, Ego Ella May was highlighted as by The Guardian, as one of a fresh wave of writers and performers rebooting soul music for the post-grime era. 

Read our interview and check out the video for album highlight, ‘Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys’, below.

Visit egoellamay.bandcamp.com for more.

Become an iconic Vocalist with ICMP

Standing in the spotlight and making yourself heard might sound daunting, but ICMP has trained and supported world-class performers for more than 30 years. Our faculty of outstanding veterans have dedicated themselves to providing all the technical, performance, marketing, theory, business, production and additional skills you need to carve a career in the music business. We’ll also open the doors to our rehearsal rooms, recording studios, special events, masterclasses, and a unique community of contacts, collaborators, and lifelong friends.

Call our friendly Admissions Team on 020 7328 0222 or email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk to discover your voice and career in music today.

Vocal courses