Laura White

Laura White

Laura White is a singer-songwriter from Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, whose music sits in jazz and soul. She is born in 1987.

Early interest in music

She starts listening to gospel and soul artists from the age of four and learns piano at eight. She later learns the clarinet, while also singing privately before becoming more open about her voice.

Performance and early career

At 14, she enters talent shows with encouragement from her family. By 15, she is performing professionally around the country in a range of venues, including jazz bars and festivals. She also performs with her original self-compiled album For the Love of It All and her band.

Television and wider recognition

White appears on The X Factor in 2008, where she reaches the final 12 from 182,000 applicants. Her exit from the programme draws major attention, with public petitions, parliamentary discussion and viewer boycotts mentioned in connection with the result. She describes the experience as part of her career rather than something separate from it, and says she is a writer, player and singer rather than only a vocalist.

Other appearances and collaborations

Before and around this period, she is managed by Matt Aitken, appears on The E4 School of Performing Arts as one of eight singer-songwriters selected from 10,000 applicants, and sings with Peter Kay, who is from her hometown. She also works in the studio with songwriter and producer Michelle Escoffery and Ian Green.

Recorded work

She is working towards the release of her debut single and album, and her earlier self-compiled album For the Love of It All is part of her live work with her band.