Gina Sedman: A Trailblazer Shaping the Independent Underground Soul Music Scene
Gina Sedman – Biography
A defining force in the independent underground soul movement, Gina Sedman has built a remarkable career rooted in authenticity, musicianship, and creative independence. With 16 full-length albums to her name, thirteen released through her own label and publishing house, Gico Music, she has consistently delivered music that honors the timeless grooves of 70s and 80s funk and soul while pushing the sound forward for a new generation. Her signature style bridges eras, resonating deeply with devoted soul connoisseurs and new listeners alike.
Key albums including Valuable People (2024) and the vinyl favorites 1972 and Said MAN! (2025) showcase her evolution as an artist fully in command of her craft. Each of these albums sold out within weeks of release, a testament to her loyal global fanbase and the demand for her authentic, independent soul music. Since 1996, Gina has written, arranged, and produced her music independently, shaping a sound that is unmistakably her own. Known for her wide vocal range, she moves effortlessly from low notes to soaring highs, delivering a soft yet soulful, funky voice. Her distinctive fashion, including bell-bottom blue jeans, big hair, and vibrant 70s-inspired style, further sets her apart, earning her the affectionate label of “the black girl hippy” in the soul scene.
Gina’s career is decorated with numerous accolades, including the BMA Award for Best Gospel Artist, multiple CV Music Awards, the Bright Star Award for Best Soul and R&B Single, and 2024’s Album of the Year from Soul Sation Radio UK. Chart successes on Solar Radio’s Sweet Rhythm Chart and BCfm’s Official Charts further underscore her consistent influence.
Her single “Smile” (2024) received widespread acclaim, earning daytime playlist status on Jazz FM and Song of the Week on Mi-Soul Radio. Said MAN became a major radio success. Calvin Francis named it Album of the Week for two consecutive weeks on Mi-Soul, while Michael Angol also selected it as Album of the Week. Standout track “The Get Down” gained support from Greg Edwards and Ronnie Herel on Mi-Soul, as well as John Osborne on Jazz FM and Solar Radio. Paul Lewis of Solar Radio made it Record of the Week, while presenters including Chris Johns, Stretch Taylor, and Peter “Vinyl” Jasper championed the album extensively. Stretch Taylor later listed Said MAN among his Top 30 Albums of 2025.
Gina’s music continues to receive regular airplay across major UK and international platforms. She previously appeared on BBC Radio London, performing her award-winning single “My Destiny” live on the Robert Elms Show. Her recordings remain in rotation across the UK and globally on stations including Mi-Soul Radio, Jazz FM, Solar Radio, Street Sounds Radio, Soul Groove Radio, Universal Soul Radio, 1BTN, Black Country Radio, Starpoint Radio, and Diverse FM.
Gina tours extensively across the UK with her husband, Andrew Sedman, who backs her on percussion, and remains in constant demand. She has performed to full houses at iconic venues including PizzaExpress Live Holborn, The Stables, The Bear Club, and Soul Mama in London, as well as appearing at Soul All Dayer events and festivals nationwide. Her performance at The Vault inside the flagship HMV store earned her a place on the prestigious HMV Wall of Fame, an honor shared by both major-label and independent icons.
In an era dominated by streaming, Gina has forged her own path, releasing her music exclusively on Bandcamp through Gico Music. Within just two years, she has released four full vinyl LPs, Valuable People (2024), 1972 (2025), Said MAN! (2025), and the upcoming Who’s Clyde (June 1, 2026), underscoring her prolific output and commitment to physical formats embraced by a global vinyl community. Her husband, Andrew Sedman, serves as her manager, and together they independently run Gico Music, overseeing production, manufacturing, promotion, distribution, and creative direction, ensuring every release remains artist-led, authentic, and fully self-controlled.
Gina’s forthcoming album, Who’s Clyde, is a 70s-inspired soul and funk project entirely written, produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Gina herself. She performs lead vocals, arranges and sings all backing vocals, plays strings, crafts synth-horn arrangements, and performs bass on select tracks. Andrew Sedman contributes percussion throughout. Legendary bassist Robert Peewee Hill, known for work with Thelma Houston and Billy Preston, and renowned keyboardist Michiko Hill, who has performed with Wayne Shorter, appear on select tracks. Every sound on the album is 100 percent human-made, with no AI-generated instruments or vocals.
The first single, “Giving It Back,” hits radio on March 1, followed by the funk-driven “Sho Nuff Funkeee” on May 1. A private, invite-only listening party will take place May 30 ahead of the full release on June 1, 2026.
Being recognized in the Coachella Valley as the first Black female filmmaker and named one of the 12 most inspirational and influential women in the region, Gina earned this distinction through her consistent hard work producing no less than 16 films and launching a self-funded award show, the CV Indie Film Awards. She is also the CEO and owner of GNA Universal Media, NDME TV, Gico Music, The Indie Post magazine, and Indie Soul Radio, expanding her creative reach across multiple media platforms.
Expanding her vision further, Gina wrote, produced, directed, filmed, and edited Who’s Clyde The Movie, premiering in London on June 7, 2026 via GNA Universal Media. Inspired by the soundtrack-driven storytelling of Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly and Claudine, the film is built entirely around her album. Just as Mayfield’s music defined an era, Gina’s songs form the backbone of the narrative, blending soulful funk, playful comedy, and a story about identity and community. The cast includes British actors, radio personalities, and dancers, with Andrew Sedman appearing as himself and as Monopoly’s percussionist. A music video for the title track “Who Is Clyde” and a breakout dance scene set to “Sho Nuff Funkeee” integrate the album directly into the film.
As a writer, producer, arranger, and performer, Gina embodies creative freedom and artistic excellence. In a music landscape where independent voices can easily be overlooked, she stands tall, an enduring icon whose passion, purpose, and unmistakable groove continue to shape and elevate the underground soul music scene worldwide.
For updates, exclusive releases, and tour dates, visit ginasedman.com.
Albums
In His Time (1996)
Changes (2003)
Tell Um (2006)
My Journey (2008)
Melodic (2011)
Love Letters (2012)
Love Letters 2 (2012)
Live, Love & Laugh (2012)
Gina Carey: The Songbird (2013)
Funk Rhythm & Soul (2014)
Gina Carey: The Soul Singer (2015)
Can You Dig It (2015)
Valuable People (LP/CD, 2024)
1972 (Digital EP) February 14, 2025
1972 (LP Vinyl, CD, Digital Streaming) June 1, 2025
Said MAN! November 2025
Who's clyde (Coming June 1, 2026)
Recent Singles
Hold Me (February 2016)
Tears (Theme song for Aspire to Inspire, June 2016)
Funky Cold Brotha (2017)
All up in This Place (2017)
Fight (2017)
Kissed by the Sun (2017)
Tribute to the Music (2017, sang and wrote lyrics)
My Destiny (2018)
Fallen (2019)
Eternity (2019)
Prodigal (2020)
Praying a Lifetime (2020)
I Love (2021)
Smile (2024)
EP's
1972 EP
Collaborative Projects
Love Walked in the Room (2020, Dave Lee sang and co-wrote lyrics)
There (Michael J. Calhoun (The Kinsman Dazz Band) 2025 lead vocalist
All recordings made after 2006 were written and produced by Gina and released under her label, Gico Music.
Gina was recently featured on Dave Lee's (formerly Joey Negro) acclaimed album Produced with Love 2 with the song Love Walked in the Room, co-written by Leroy Burgess, Dave Lee, and Gina. This track has earned over 10,000 views on YouTube, thousands of downloads across multiple platforms, and physical sales on both vinyl and CD.
Gina Sedman’s illustrious career includes a wealth of notable achievements and collaborations with some of the music industry’s most accomplished talents. She was recently featured on Dave Lee's (formerly Joey Negro) acclaimed album Produced with Love 2 with the track Love Walked in the Room, co-written by Leroy Burgess, Dave Lee, and Gina. This track garnered over 10,000 views on YouTube, thousands of downloads across all platforms, and physical sales on both vinyl and CD.
Gina has shared the stage with prominent acts and opened for Rose Royce in Los Angeles. During her recent move to the UK, she completed a successful tour across South East England, selling out venues such as The Legendary Bear Club—ranked among the Top Ten Jazz Clubs in the UK. Along with her UK band, she has performed at the St. Neots Festival and guested with the jazz fusion supergroup Confusion at London's Temple of Arts Music and Pizza Express Live (Holborn).
Her collaborations include working with Kevin Flournoy, a celebrated pianist whose extensive credits include The Emotions, Teena Marie, Ronnie Laws, Chaka Khan, Babyface, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Jeffrey Osborne, The Pointer Sisters, Jennifer Hudson, Howard Hewett, Jamie Foxx, The Jazz Crusaders, and contemporary jazz icons Boney James, Norman Brown, Kirk Whalum, and Harvey Mason. Additionally, Gina collaborated with Grammy Award-winning guitarist Michael J. Calhoun of the legendary Dazz Band, who contributed his talent to her 2024 single Smile and her latest EP, 1972: Give Love. Most recently, she was featured as the lead vocalist on There, a song by The Kinsman Dazz Band, written by Michael J. Calhoun.
Gina’s ability to bridge genres and collaborate with such high-caliber musicians further cements her reputation as a versatile and highly respected artist in the global music community.
Gina Sedman has built an extraordinary career, earning widespread acclaim for her exceptional talent and impactful contributions to the music industry. Her journey is marked by a series of prestigious accolades that highlight her versatility, artistry, and dedication to creating music that inspires:
BMA Award: Best Gospel Artist
GHP Music Awards: Rising Stars of the Desert – Best Jazz Music Artist
Bright Star Award: Best Soul & R&B Single (2020) for her hit "My Destiny"
CV Music Awards: Three-time recipient for Best Pop/R&B & Contemporary Artist (2015, 2016, 2017)
CV Weekly Recognition: Named one of the Top 12 Interesting & Influential Women in the Coachella Valley (2016)
2024 Album of the Year: Valuable People (Soul Sation Radio, UK)
Top 40 Album & Record of the Week: Valuable People (Radio TeeRex, Canada, 2024)
Solar Radio UK Chart: Charted in 2024 with the album Valuable People
Gina’s music continues to captivate audiences across the globe. Her singles, including "Smile," "Grace," and "Living in a World," have achieved significant airplay across prominent UK and international radio platforms:
"Smile" was recognized as Song of the Week on Mi-Soul Radio UK (DAB Radio) and featured as "One to Watch 2024."
Her new single from her EP, 1972 was also embraced by legendary Mi-Soul Radio Presenter, Greg Edwards.
Regularly highlighted on online platforms such as Soul and Jazz and Funk and TeeRex Radio, amplifying her global reach.
"Valuable People" was named Album of the Year on Soul Sation Radio (UK) and ranked among the Top 40 albums on Radio TeeRex (Canada) in 2024.
Gina Sedman’s dedication to uplifting and inspiring audiences through her music is reflected in the success of her latest works. These honors underscore her resilience, artistry, and enduring impact on both independent and mainstream music scenes. As her music continues to resonate across continents, Gina solidifies her place as a powerhouse in contemporary soul and jazz.
Gina Sedman has made a significant impact with her latest single, Smile, from her upcoming album, Valuable People. The song, praised for its heartfelt message and uplifting energy, has earned a spot on several leading UK radio stations, including BBC Radio London (Robert Elms Show), where Gina was recently interviewed and performed a live acoustic rendition of My Destiny. Accompanied by her husband, Andrew Sedman on percussion and Ryan McCafrey on piano, the performance received glowing praise from listeners. Additionally, Smile has been celebrated as DJ Dave Flemming's Record of the Week on Solar Radio, entered the Solar Radio Sweet Rhythms Chart, and was named Winter Pick of the Week on Michael K. Amil's TeeRex Radio Show in Canada. It also secured a spot on the Jazz FM DAB Radio Station Playlist in the UK, where esteemed presenters such as Robbie Vincent, Danielle Perry, Simon Phillips, Yolanda Brown, and John Osborne have shared Gina’s inspiring music with their audiences.
Produced with care and creativity, Smile features Gina’s soulful vocals, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Michael J. Calhoun, award-winning producer Kevin Flournoy on piano, and Andrew Sedman on percussion. Together, they create a sound that resonates with audiences searching for hope and positivity through music.
Gina Sedman’s influence transcends her UK success, earning her recognition on major DAB stations such as BBC London, Mi-Soul, 1BTN, Stomp Radio, Jazz FM, Solar Radio, Starpoint Radio, GFM, Harbour Radio, Rhythm and Soul Radio, Floradio, JFS, and In2Beats. From her acclaimed album Valuable People alone, Gina’s music has garnered nearly 200 plays across more than 25 stations, reaching an impressive audience of over 600,000 listeners.
Featured Recognition:
Named one of Mi-Soul Radio’s Ones to Watch.
Spotlighted on Soul and Jazz and Funk, an esteemed independent music platform by Bill Bucks.
BBC London Acclaim:
Delivered a live acoustic performance on the Robert Elms Show.
Jazz FM Highlights:
Featured in the mix for Record of the Week and added to the Jazz FM Playlist.
Canadian Success:
Valuable People ranked in the Top 40 Albums of 2024 on Radio Teerex (Canada).
The album’s standout single, My Destiny, soared to the #1 spot on Teerex Radio’s Top 20 Charts and was honored as Record of the Year by Soul Station Radio.
Gina’s extraordinary ability to create music that resonates on a global scale has cemented her reputation as a true artist. Her chart-topping success, coupled with collaborations with award-winning musicians, continues to inspire and uplift audiences worldwide. With Valuable People leading the charge, Gina Sedman remains a driving force in the music industry, captivating listeners with her timeless artistry.
Radio Plays
Smile
BBC Radio London (Robert Elms Show): Live acoustic performance featured
Mi Soul: Featured consistently with multiple plays
1BTN: Aired multiple times in September
Stomp Radio: Regularly played throughout September and October
Jazz FM: Playlist feature with extensive airplay through October and November
Solar Radio: Played multiple times in October and November
Additional plays on Starpoint, GFM, Harbour Radio, Rhythm and Soul Radio, Floradio, and JFS
My Destiny
BBC Radio London (Robert Elms Show): Live acoustic performance featured
Broadcast on LMR, Colourful Radio, London Soul Radio, Solar Radio, Stomp Radio, In2Beats, and Zero Radio
But What's On The Inside
Aired on JFS, Solar Radio, and In2Beats
Grace
Featured on Radio 2 Funky, Solar Radio, Spice FM, Street Sounds, Afro Disiac, Starpoint, Nova Radio North East, and One Luv
Prodigal
Aired on Mi Soul and Starpoint Radio
I Refuse
Played on Solar Radio and Mi Soul
Living In A World
Aired on JFS and Solar Radio
Through The Waters
Broadcast on Starpoint Radio
Valuable People
Aired on Solar Radio and Mi Soul
What The World Needs
Played on Solar Radio
2024 Album of the Year (Soul Sation Radio, UK)
2024 Top 40 Album at Radio TeeRex in Canada
2024 Solar Radio UK Chart
Gina Sedman’s captivating music is being broadcast worldwide, reaching new audiences across DAB, FM, and online platforms. With her unique sound resonating across the globe, Gina’s artistry continues to make waves, delivering unforgettable experiences to listeners everywhere. Originally from California and now based in the UK, Gina's music, especially Smile, continues to captivate audiences with its heartfelt message and uplifting spirit.
Currently, Gina is accepting bookings for festivals and events. Don’t miss the chance to have one of the most incredible international vocalists perform at your event. To book Gina Sedman, contact Management at DJProne@gmail.com. DJProne@gmail.com