Nicole Henry

Nicole Henry first drew notice in 2004 upon issuing her initial album, The Nearness of You, through Banister Records. Her vocal beginnings trace back to performances in church and school ensembles, complemented by six years of cello study. Although awarded a scholarship for architectural studies at the college level, she ultimately earned her degree in advertising and theater. The year 2000 saw her traveling as a supporting vocalist with Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise on dance music tours. Over time, her career encompassed roles as an actress, spokesperson, R&B performer, before shifting primarily to jazz singing. Her introduction to jazz occurred during engagements in Miami Beach, where bassist Paul Shewchuk encouraged her to master several jazz standards for performances alongside his trio. She embraced the improvisational liberty inherent in the genre, which has defined her artistic path thereafter. Residing in Florida, Henry has appeared across Korea, Japan, Mexico, London, and numerous American venues. Following her debut, additional releases included the 2007 Japan-exclusive Teach Me Tonight along with The Very Thought of You, issued by Banister in 2008. Three years afterward came Embraceable, earning the Soul Train Award for Best Traditional Jazz Performance via the track "Waiting in Vain." The subsequent year brought the live recording So Good, So Right: Nicole Henry Live. Henry teamed with James Bryan in 2015 for the Summer Sessions EP, maintaining a busy performance calendar in the years that followed.