Nicole Henry, Vocal jazz Artist

This week’s Featured Artist gained the attention of the music listening audience in 2004 after the release of her debut album, “The Nearness of You.”  She once performed dance and R&B music, and on one occasion while performing in Miami Beach she discovered the sweet sound of jazz.  She was encouraged by bassist Paul Shewchuk to learn some jazz standards and sing with his trio.  Since then she has carved out a career in jazz and is well known as one of jazz music international entertainers.  Meet – Nicole Henry

Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Genre: Vocal Jazz

“I had the sense of being in the presence of a pop-soul superwoman whose every gesture and inflection conveyed confidence and mastery….time and again she invested familiar songs with an extra fillip of conviction and made you reconsider the words.”- Stephen Holden, The New York Times.

“…the vocal love-child of Whitney Houston and Sarah Vaughan.”- Jordan Levin,Miami Herald.

Nicole Henry has firmly established herself as one of the most acclaimed entertainers in jazz.  Her powerfully expressive voice and her soulful, sophisticated and uplifting energy has earned her three top 10 albums.  Adding to her vocal talents, Nicole’s beauty and on-stage rapport combines confidence, sincerity and a touch of sass, confirming her as an all-around beguiling performer to audiences in over 15 countries.

Her 2004 debut CD release, The Nearness of You, won considerable attention from audiences and critics in the U.S. and in Japan, where they named Nicole Best New Jazz Artist of 2004.  The following year, Nicole’s Teach Me Tonightreached #1 in Japan and was named HMV Japan’s Best Vocal Jazz Album of 2005.  Finally, 2008’s The Very Thought of You substantially expanded her American audience, reaching #7 on Billboard’s jazz chart.

This set the stage for her latest release, Embraceable.   A slight departure from her prior recordings, this creative triumph continues to establish Nicole as a peerless interpreter of jazz and pop standards, transcending genre boundaries.  Her heartfelt vocals are matched with a stellar musical cast that includes saxophonist Kirk Whalum, pianist Gerald Clayton, guitarist Julian Lage, harmonica virtuoso Gregoire Maret, and Grammy-winning arranger Gil Goldstein.  Helped by Grammy-nominated producer Matt Pierson, Embraceablereached top 20 on jazz and smooth jazz radio charts.

Growing up in a musical family in Bucks County, PA, Nicole immersed herself in the arts early on, singing in school and church, and studying cello and ballet.  After graduating from the University of Miami with a degree in Communications and Theater, Nicole launched a successful acting career, appearing in commercial roles as well as a series of voiceover assignments.  But she directed her strongest passion toward the development of her full-time singing career which was quickly rewarded in her present hometown, when the Miami New Times named Nicole “Best Solo Musician 2002.”  She continues to be a winner on every stage she graces.

Biographical information courtesy of Nicole Henry’s website

http://nicolehenrymusic.squarespace.com/bio/