Nicole Henry is an American jazz vocalist, actress, and recording artist. Known for her dynamic live performances and interpretations of jazz standards, soul, blues, originals and contemporary music, she has released multiple recordings that topped the charts in the U.S. and Japan, toured internationally, and appeared in theater productions and symphonic performances.
Since making her debut CD release in 2004, Henry has received the Soul Train Music Award for Best Traditional Jazz Performance, earning a place on five TOP 10 national charts. She has performed in more than 20 countries and collaborated with musicians including Kirk Whalum, Gerald Clayton, Gil Goldstein, Julian Lage, and more.
Personal life Nicole Henry was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Andalusia, a community in Bensalem Township, Bucks County.
Growing up in a musical family, Henry participated in school and church choirs, as well as studying both cello and ballet from an early age. Although she studied music and dance as a child, she initially planned to pursue a career outside of music. She attended the University of Miami, where she originally received a full academic scholarship to study architecture. She eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in Advertising Communications and Theater.
Following graduation, Henry worked as an actress, appearing in national television commercials and voice-over roles before turning her attention to music full-time.
Career
In 2000, Henry toured as a background singer for Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, performing blues/rock music. In the late 1990s, she also lent her voice to two dance music recordings written by Noel W. Sanger. One song, "Miracle," reached #8 on the Billboard Dance Music Chart in 1998. She discovered jazz while singing in Miami Beach when her then bassist, Paul Shewchuk, invited her to learn some jazz standards to perform with his trio. The Miami New Times named Henry “Best Solo Musician 2002”.
In 2004, Henry released her debut CD, The Nearness of You, on Banister Records. The album earned Henry the "Best New Jazz Artist" award by HMV Japan.
The following year, Henry's Teach Me Tonight reached #1 in Japan and was named HMV Japan's Best Vocal Jazz Album of 2005.
Her 2008 album The Very Thought of You reached #7 on Billboard's jazz chart. On this third studio album, she worked with contemporary songwriters like K. J. Denhert (I Found You), and James Bryan McCollum, with whom she co-wrote "All That I Can See."
Her 2011 release Embraceable reached Top 20 on U.S. Jazz and Smooth Jazz Radio Charts and featured Kirk Whalum, Gerald Clayton, John Stoddart, Julian Lage, Gil Goldstein, Larry Gernadier and Eric Harland among others.
In 2012, she made her San Francisco debut at The Razz Room.
In 2013, she sang new renditions of hits from the 1970s on her album So Good, So Right: Nicole Henry Live recorded in front of crowds at Feinstein's in New York City.
In 2013, Henry received the "Soul Train Award" for "Best Traditional Jazz Performance" after competing with George Benson, Jeffrey Osborne, Chaka Khan, Tony Bennett, Marc Anthony and Terrence Blanchard.
In a 2014 interview with CBS Miami, she cited Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan as sources of inspiration.
In 2015, Henry released her seventh CD, titled Summer Sessions, an eight-song acoustic EP with both covers and originals, accompanied by James Bryan.
Henry was invited to sing the National Anthem at the Orange Bowl in both 2010 and 2018.
In 2019, she returned to the theatrical stage and garnered critical praise for her portrayal of Nikki Marron in “The Bodyguard," a new musical based on the smash hit 1992 film. In late 2020, she will perform in the new musical “A Wonderful World,” the story of Louis Armstrong, debuting at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach, FL.
Henry is currently in the studio working on her eighth album which is slated to be released in late 2020.
Discography Lead Artist TitleYearLabelPeak Chart PositionThe Nearness of You2004Banister#2 Vocal Jazz Album 2004- HMV Japan; #27 on U.S. JazzWeek Radio ChartTeach Me Tonight2005Venus#1 Vocal Jazz Album & #2 Jazz Album 2005 HMV Japan Sales ChartThe Very Thought of You2008Banister#7 Billboard Top Jazz Album, 2008 Embraceable2011ArtistShareTop 20 JazzWeek Radio Chart; TOP 20 Smooth Jazz Radio Chart for 14 weeksSet for the Season2011BanisterSo Good, So Right2013Banister#16 Billboard Traditional Jazz Album, Feb 2013; #19 Smooth Jazz Billboard ChartTime to Love Again2021Banister#4 JazzWeek Radio Chart; #4 UK Soul Chart;#6 UK Sweet Rhythms chart; #4 U.S. Indie Soul Chart Singles & EP TitleYearLabelI Found Love (DaMooch-colab)1998SFP/Essential Media GroupMoon River2018BanisterAngels We Have Heard on High2019BanisterFeeling Good2021ArtistShareYour Smiling Face2021BanisterMidnight at the Oasis2022BanisterFor the Love of You2022Foliage RecordsIs It a Crime?2023BanisterMy Favorite Things2024BanisterEverything Is Fine2026Banister
Acting credits YearProductionRoleVenue2019The BodyguardNicki MarronNorth Shore Music Theater (Boston)2021A Wonderful WorldAlpha SmithColony Theatre (Miami Beach) - World Premier 2022Smokey Joe’s CafeBrendaNorth Shore Music Theater (Boston)2023The Color PurpleShug AveryMartin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts North Carolina Theater Company(Raleigh)2026Black II BroadwayShug Avery (from The Color Purple)Gray Box Theater (Wilton Manors)
Awards and honors YearAwardsCategoryWork2002Miami New TimesBest Local Solo MusicianFrom actress to established vocalist2005HMV Japan AwardBest New Jazz ArtistAcclaimed debut album, The Nearness of You2013Soul Train Music AwardBest Traditional Jazz PerformanceFor her rendition of "Waiting in Vain"2016 & 2024Miami ProclamationNicole Henry Daysartistic and philanthropic work2011 & 2017Miami Beach ProclamationNicole Henry Daysartistic and philanthropic work2021BroadwayWorld MiamiVocalist of the DecadeTo honor her sustained excellence, powerful vocal talent, and jazz scene over ten years
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