Nicole Henry

Since her debut in 2004, Nicole Henry has established herself as one of the jazz world's most acclaimed vocalists. Ms. Henry possesses a potent combination of dynamic vocal abilities, impeccable phrasing, and powerful emotional resonance. Her repertoire includes the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz titles, contemporary' standards, blues, and originals; while her accompaniment ranges from a simple jazz trio to a full big band.

Ms. Henry's passionate, soulful voice and heartfelt charisma have earned her a 2013 Soul Train Award for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance," four Top-10 U.S. Billboard, JazzWeek and HMV Japan jazz albums, and rave reviews both domestically and internationally by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Japan Times, El Pais, Jazz Times, Essence and more.

Ms. Henry has captivated audiences in over 20 countries, headlining at venues in cities including New York, Tokyo, Madrid, Moscow, Paris, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Miami. She has performed in more than 30 music festivals worldwide and in some of the world’s most famous venues including Blue Note, NYC; Jazz at Lincoln Center; Blues Alley; Arsht Center; Feinstein’s; Green Mill; Madrid Jazz Festival; the Regattabar; and Catalina Jazz.

Ms. Henry’s 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 her Best New Jazz Artist of 2004. The following year, Ms. Henry's Teach Me Tonight reached #1 in Japan and was named HMV Japan's Best Vocal Jazz Album of 2005. In 2008, The Very Thought of You substantially expanded her American audience, reaching #7 on Billboard's jazz chart.

The 2011 release of the Embraceable CD was a creative triumph for Ms. Henry as it expanded her recordings beyond those of the American Songbook jazz standards which had been her focus up until that time. Embraceable included more originals, soul and even a touch of gospel, and reached the top 20 on jazz and smooth U.S. jazz radio charts. Joining Ms. Henry on Embraceable was an amazing collection of jazz artists including Kirk Whalum, Gerald Clayton, John Stoddart, Julian Lage, Gil Goldstein, Larry Grenadier, and Eric Harland.

Ms. Henry demonstrates her diversity and skills as a performer and a peerless interpreter of songs on her 2013 release, SO GOOD, SO RIGHT: Nicole Henry Live. The 13-track live album, which was recorded at sold-out performances at Feinstein’s in NYC in May 2012, showcases her soulful, inspired renditions of some of her favorite classic hits of the ‘70s from iconic artists including Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, The Commodores and Gladys Knight.

Ms. Henry's latest album, TIME TO LOVE AGAIN, which was released in late 2021, hit the TOP 10 on U.S. JazzWeek radio for nine weeks, reaching #4 at its pinnacle. The CD also found success in the UK where it reached #6 on the Sweet Rhythms Chart, #4 on Star Point UK Soul Radio Charts and #3 on LondonMusicRadio.com chart. The CD is an eclectic mix of jazz standards and reimagined pop tunes that showcases Henry’s soulful interpretations. It is her 8th career CD and fourth to reach the TOP 10. It includes songs from Buffy St. Marie, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Rodgers & Hart, Joan Armatrading and a host of other amazing songwriters. It continues to have great success with each single that is released, including "Your Smiling Face," "Feeling Good" and "Midnight at the Oasis.

She has recorded with some of today’s musical greats including Kirk Whalum, Julian Lage, Gerald Clayton and Gil Goldstein and has performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra and Michael Feinstein. In late 2019, Ms. Henry returned to the theatrical stage and garnered critical praise in the musical “The Bodyguard.” In 2021, she performed in the new musical “A Wonderful World,” the story of Louis Armstrong, as well as Smokey Joe's Cafe in 2022.

Growing up in a musical family in Bucks County, PA, Ms. Henry 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 Theatre, she launched a successful acting career, appearing in commercial roles as well as a series of voiceover assignments. However, 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.”

Awards

“2004 Best New Jazz Artist” by HMV Japan for "The Nearness of You". “2005 Best Vocal Jazz Album ” by HMV Japan for "Teach Me Tonight" with the Eddie Higgins Trio. “2007 PRIX de JURY” winner at the 47th Annual Jazz à Juan Festival de Jazz International Vocal Jazz Competition in Antibes, French Riviera. 2013 Soul Train Award for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance"

Show less

Nicole Henry at Blues Alley

by Mark Edelman
October 8, 2024

Nicole Henry Blues Alley Washington, DC October 3, 2024 Got a chance to see this accomplished vocalist at DC's premier jazz club, Blues Alley in Georgetown. Dressed fetchingly in crimson lace, Ms. Henry gave a master class in the kind of song interpretation that made Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughan jazz legends. Celebrating twenty years in the recording biz and her sixteenth appearance at Blues Alley, Nicole got things started with ...

Album Review

Nicole Henry: Time To Love Again

Read "Time To Love Again" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
December 19, 2021

Nicole Henry has been making a lot of noise, nicely, with her latest album. It is easy to see why. While critics compare her to everyone from Natalie Cole to Whitney Houston, she really does sound like herself. She swings elegantly and does not oversing. Her intonation, diction and phrasing are impeccable. Henry is the epitome of good taste. She obviously has chops and range to burn, but keeps both under control. She will neither shatter ...

In Pictures

Nicole Henry with the John Toomey Trio in Norfolk

by Mark Robbins
October 14, 2017

The Attucks Jazz Series kicked off the 2017-2018 season with bombastic vocalist Nicole Henry backed by John Toomey on piano, Jimmy Masters on bass and Chuck Redd on drums. Ms. Henry, winner of the Soul Train's “Best Traditional Jazz Performance," presented a varied repertoire including songs by Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers and many jazz standards sung in her own powerful style. She just doesn't have pipes, she has PIPES! Defying the label of “jazz singer," Nicole Henry is ...

154

Album Review

Nicole Henry: Embraceable

Read "Embraceable" reviewed by Larry Taylor

by Larry Taylor
September 1, 2011

With the release of her fifth album, Embraceable, vocalist Nicole Henry pleasingly brings together a range of styles--smooth and mainstream jazz, along with pop and gospel. A roster of musicians from diverse jazz backgrounds are featured on various tracks, with standouts including saxophonist Kirk Whalum, harmonicist Gregoire Maret and pianists John Stoddart and Britain's Oli Rockberger, who all contribute mightily. Among the albums's 12 selections, there are four new numbers including three Stoddart gems, and eight standards ...

797

Interview

Nicole Henry: Giving It All

by Esther Berlanga-Ryan
October 14, 2009

Inspiration usually comes by surprise. Jazz vocalist Nicole Henry can tell us all about it. Sometimes we know there is a certain direction we want to go, but can't figure out what the road looks like. And for a brief, terrifying and always meaningful minute of our lives, we stand in a crossroad to nowhere, wondering what will come next. And that is when it happens. Inspiration comes rushing in, like a blurry shade of blue passing you by. If ...

314

Album Review

Nicole Henry: The Nearness Of You

Read "The Nearness Of You" reviewed by Mark Sabbatini

by Mark Sabbatini
July 19, 2004

Had I seen her web site beforehand--promoting her as a “singer, actress, host, model"--I might actually have been less inclined to buy this album.

Performers who make a living based on looks as well as vocal talent are often lacking in one or both categories, but Nicole Henry proves she's capable of both. The Nearness Of You, her first full-length jazz album, certainly qualifies as a swinging album of standards, but probably lacks the distinctiveness necessary to get ...

Performance / Tour

Soul Train Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Nicole Henry Heads Uptown For Special Holiday Concert On Friday, December 8, 2023

Source: Cheryl Duncan & Company
November 17, 2023

CITY COLLEGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS WITH NICOLE HENRY International recording artist Nicole Henry will bring in the holidays at Aaron Davis Hall on Friday, December 8, as City College Center for the Arts (CCCA) presents a special concert with the powerhouse jazz vocalist. The 7 p.m. concert will feature holiday favorites and familiar classics by the singer who is celebrated for her fluency with the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, popular music and more. The ...
read more

Event

International Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist Nicole Henry Celebrates Her 8th Annual Winter Concert – Now A Virtual Worldwide Event To Benefit Miami Music Project

Source: All About Jazz
December 3, 2020

Internationally acclaimed jazz recording artist Nicole Henry will premiere her virtual concert “I Sing Because I'm Happy” on Saturday, December 19th at 8pm EST supported by presenting sponsor Savage Ticket. This 8th Annual Winter Concert, which benefits Miami Music Project, a 501(c)(3), will be filmed live from Pinecrest Gardens—a tropical oasis and beautiful outdoor concert venue in South Florida. For seven years this event usually sold out to a 400-seat audience in Miami Beach, but now fans from around the ...
read more

Performance / Tour

Nicole Henry: The Vocalist Who Sings Rainbows

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
April 25, 2016

By Maria Cabeza I happened to be in West Palm Beach when Nicole Henry was giving a show, so without hesitating I went with my eleven-year-old son and my friend and PR specialist Scott Thompson. What you surely know: Nicole Henry is a North American internationally acclaimed jazz soul vocalist whose career started in 2004. Her repertoire includes American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz titles, blues and more. She used to sing at school and at church and that her ...
read more

Radio

Nicole Henry Performs On WLRN's South Florida Arts Beat, 3/8/13

Source: Ed Bell
March 6, 2013

Please join our audience for another great musical performance on WLRN's SOUTH FLORIDA ARTS BEAT Friday, March 8th, 2013 Featuring NICOLE HENRY Miami Beach’s beloved Jazz, Pop and Soul vocal star returns for a worldwide performance on South Florida Arts Beat. She’ll sing tunes from the ‘70’s on her latest recording, So Good, So Right: Nicole Henry Live (Banister Records), with her all-star band comprised of Chris Cadenhead on the piano, Aaron Lebos on guitar, Eric ...
read more

Performance / Tour

Feinstein's At Loews Regency Presents The Return Of Bistro Award-winning Jazz Vocalist Nicole Henry In Her New Show Exploring The 1970s "So Good, So Right"

Source: Danielle Grabianowski
April 16, 2012

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed “Best of New York" by New York Magazine and “an invaluable New York institution" by The New York Post will continue its Spring 2012 season with the return of Bistro Award-winning jazz vocalist NICOLE HENRY, who was heralded as “the vocal love-child of Whitney Houston and Sarah Vaughan" by The Miami Herald. In her new show So Good, So Right, the uniquely gifted songstress takes her audience back to the 1970s to embrace ...
read more

Recording

Song Stylist Nicole Henry's "Set for the Season: Live in Japan" is a Year-Round Delight

Source: Great Scott P.R.oductions
October 17, 2011

Miami, FL: Only a couple of months after releasing her critically-acclaimed Embraceable CD, song stylist Nicole Henry keeps the momentum rolling with a joyous jazz collection of holiday-themed classics that were recorded live at the Cotton Club in Tokyo. Set For The Season: Live In Japan, produced by Henry and Grammy nominee Matt Pierson (Kirk Whalum, Jane Monheit, Joshua Redman), will be released October 25th on Henrys Banister Records. Backed by an astute trio comprised of Pete Wallace (piano), James ...
read more

128

Recording

Embracing Nicole Henry

Source: Great Scott P.R.oductions
August 26, 2011

The song stylist sells out a pair of New York City shows on the eve of the release of her critically-acclaimed new album, Embraceable Miami Beach, FL: Glowing reviews have embraced the arrival of the fifth album from song stylist Nicole Henry, which was released Tuesday (August 23) by ArtistShare. On Monday night, Henry performed many of the songs from Embraceable at a pair of sold-out, standing room-only shows to enraptured audiences at Jazz at Lincoln Centers Dizzys Club Coca ...
read more

148

Performance / Tour

Nicole Henry to give New York City jazz fans a special embrace

Source: Great Scott P.R.oductions
July 28, 2011

Accomplished ensemble to back the song stylist at Dizzy's the night before the release of Embraceable Miami, FL: On the eve prior to the release of her fourth album, Embraceable, Nicole Henry will take the stage at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola accompanied by an outfit of world-renowned musicians. The August 22nd performance previews the new recording that will be released the following day by ArtistShare. Set to join Henry on stage are Grammy nominated guitarist Julian Lage, ...
read more

173

Recording

Song stylist Nicole Henry embraces change with soul and elegance

Source: Great Scott P.R.oductions
June 22, 2011

Vocalist to release Embraceable on August 23rd supported by NYC performances at Feinstein's and Dizzy's Miami Beach, FL: After releasing a trio of critically-acclaimed albums and amassing reams of rave reviews and accolades about her live performances, Nicole Henry could have simply continued singing the Great American Songbook to blissfully satiate discerning music listeners. But like the truly gifted artist that she is, Henry deemed the time right to change, grow and expand her artistic muse. Audacious and undaunted in ...
read more

221

Recording

Nicole Henry's Catapult Return to Billboard Charts After Singing

Source: Michael Ricci
January 25, 2010

International jazz vocalist Nicole Henry opened the FedEx Orange Bowl with an inspiring a capella version of the National Anthem that catapulted her 2008 release, The Very Thought of You, back onto the Billboard Jazz Chart at #86. On Tuesday, January 5th, donned in a full-length, strapless, cranberry-colored Nicole Miller dress, international jazz vocalist Nicole Henry opened the FedEx Orange Bowl with an inspiring a capella version of the National Anthem that was broadcast live on the FOX network to ...
read more

“I had the sense of being in the presence of a pop-soul superwoman whose every gesture and inflection conveyed confidence and mastery…” - Stephen Holden, NY Times

“….a paragon of perfection… the vocal love child of Whitney Houston and Sarah Vaughan." - Jordan Levin, Miami Herald

“Listen and you’ll hear an artist who knows how to make a song her own… Henry aims right for the emotional center…" - Philip Van Vleck, Billboard

“(Henry) can sell a power ballad as well as Whitney, Diana and Patti.” - Jazz Times

“…one of the most impressive live performers to personalize the great American songbook.” - Japan Times