Nicole Henry

Nicole Henry is an American jazz singer. She has performed in the world’s most acclaimed jazz venues, including clubs such as the Tokyo's famed Cotton Club and Blue Note NYC.[1] She has performed at numerous festivals including the Festival Miami and the San Jose Summer Jazz Fest (2014).[2]

Personal life

Henry grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where she pursued the arts from a young age, singing in school and church, and studying cello and ballet. She graduated from the University of Miami.[3] In a 2014 interview with CBS Miami, where she is based, she cited Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughn as sources of inspiration.[4]

Career

Commercial Success

Henry launched her entertainment career with success in both singing and acting. Early in her career, she appeared in commercial acting roles and voiceover assignments. Her passion for singing was recognized when the Miami New Times named Henry “Best Solo Musician 2002”.[3]

In 2004, Henry released her debut CD, The Nearness of You, on Banister Records. The song Teach Me Tonight reached #1 in Japan and was named HMV Japan's Best Vocal Jazz Album of 2005.[2] Her 2008 album The Very Thought of You reached #7 on Billboard's jazz chart. Her 2011 release Embraceable reached the Top 20 on jazz and U.S. smooth jazz radio charts.

In 2012 she made her San Francisco debut at a private event and at The Razz Room. Sean Martinfield of Huffington Post wrote "Nicole Henry emerges hands down as this generation's First Lady of Jazz."[5]

In 2013, she sang new renditions of hits from the 1970s for her album So Good, So Right: Nicole Henry Live recorded in front of sold-out crowds at Feinstein’s in New York.[3]

In 2013, Nicole Henry took home the Soul Train award for ‘Best Traditional Jazz Performance,’ beating legends like George Benson, Tony Bennett, and Terrence Blanchard.

In 2014 she appeared at the San Jose Jazz Summer festival with a 26pc orchestra led by Kevin Surace[6] The KCSM review of the production called it "The best, or arguably one of the top performances at the Jazz Summer Fest"

Nicole has also provided the National Anthem at several major sporting events including the 2010 Orange Bowl, the OPEN 13 Mens Finals and at Miami Marlins games.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ "Blue Note New York Performance Schedule". Bluenote.net. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Nicole Henry with Top Shelf Big Band & Orchestra | San Jose Jazz Summer Fest". Summerfest.sanjosejazz.org. 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Henry, Nicole bio | Profiles | Festival Miami | University of Miami". Miami.edu. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  4. ↑ "Women To Watch: Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani With Nicole Henry « CBS Miami". Miami.cbslocal.com. 2014-07-02. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  5. ↑ "Nicole arrives in San Francisco". http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sean-martinfield/jazz-vocalist-nicole-henr_b_1853611.html''.
  6. ↑ "SJ Jazz - Nicole Henry". http://summerfest.sanjosejazz.org/artists/nicole-henry-orchestra''.

External links