Lenora Zenzalai Helm

New York City serves as the base for vocalist and composer Lenora Zenzalai-Helm, who entered the world in Chicago amid a household steeped in music. Her vocal journey began at age eight, after which she quickly mastered trumpet, organ, piano, and guitar during childhood, ultimately becoming the first African-American woman awarded a B.A. in Film Music Composition/Voice.

Relocating to New York City in 1987 opened doors to extensive studio and stage work alongside Michael Franks, Freddie Jackson, Kenny Garrett, Antonio Hart, Branford Marsalis, Junior Mance, plus numerous other prominent figures across pop, R&B, and jazz circles, establishing her as a steady presence in the local music community. Recognition followed in 1994 when the syndicated Jazz in the City radio program named her Best New Jazz Artist.

Her independent endeavors encompass the R&B/jazz vocal ensemble Sepia, responsible for multiple albums issued in Japan, and the jazz trio known as the Zenzalai Project, which has appeared at numerous jazz festivals and women’s festivals alike. Beyond performance, she instructs and conducts clinics for students in grades K through eight, delivers lectures at assorted colleges, and authored a manual detailing artist residencies together with after-school programs in public schools.

In 1998 the United States Information Agency and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts selected her as a Jazz Ambassador. Joined by duo partner Brandon McCune, she appeared on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage and embarked on an African tour under that designation. The Universal Jazz Coalition further honored her as Major Young Artist of 1998, while International Women in Jazz appointed her president the same year.

Her solo recording career commenced with the independently issued Awakenings in 1995, followed by Spirit Child on the J Curve label in 1999.