A graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in Communications and Theatre, Henry got her first recording experience with dance music DJ/producer Noel Sanger, who featured her on the Top 10 Billboard track "Miracle." After being named 2002's Best Local Solo Musician by Miami New Times, Nicole began to embrace jazz, leading to the 2004 release of her debut CD, The Nearness of You, which won considerable attention from audiences and critics in both the U.S. and in Japan. The following year, her Teach Me Tonight reached #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. Its international popularity also spurred her to step up her performance schedule with successful tours of Japan (where she's toured nine times), Europe and Russia. Throughout 2009 and 2010, her monthly performances in front of sold-out crowds at Chelsea's Metropolitan Room led to winning the 2010 Bistro Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocalist.
This set the stage for her latest release, Embraceable. A departure from her prior recordings, this creative triumph matches her distinctive voice and abundant charisma 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. Helmed by Grammy-nominated producer Matt Pierson, Embraceable continues to establish Nicole as a peerless interpreter of jazz and pop standards, marking her as a rising star whose appeal transcends genre boundaries.
The Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko is located in San Francisco, Calif. For more information, visit www.therrazzroom.com.
Photo Credit: Pat Johnson
Nicole Henry and Company
Nicole Henry and Company
Front row: Denise Perrier, Lady Mem'Fis, Faith Winthrop, Linda Kosut, Robert Kotonly, Bill Lanese, Clairdee. Back row: Conrad Frank (aka Katya Smirnoff Skyy), Jonathan Poretz, Nicole Henry and Robert Vickers (aka Bud E Luv).
Videos