Jazz Vocalist Nicole Henry Helps Usher in The Holidays in NYC

Henry, a Soul Train Award-winning vocalist for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance” and the recipient of four Top-10 jazz albums, has been heralded as one of the best in the industry, described by Jazz Times as one who can “sell a power ballad as well as Whitney, Diana and Patti,” while also favorably compared to the late, great Sarah Vaughan.

“Being compared to Whitney and Sarah puts me in very good company – women who have proven themselves as experts – the very best – in the artistry of vocal performance,” said Henry on the evening before her New York City concert.

“Sometimes, I forget that I am viewed as a national figure because of my travels and the stages on which I have performed. I still reminisce about the days when there were no more than 45 people in a room – local folks – and I was singing for them as if there were no tomorrow,” said Henry who grew up in a musical family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where, early on, she immersed herself in the arts – 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 national 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 when the Miami New Times named Nicole Henry, “Best Solo Musician.”

“I can’t believe that I’ve been singing professionally for more than 20 years, especially since I first had my sights on becoming an actress,” she said. “In 2001, I was acting and singing full time and then really became interested in jazz in 2002, releasing my first album one year later, in 2003. But believe it or not, back in the 90s I was singing house music and even had a song make the Billboard charts for dance music. That showed me that maybe I had a future in singing.”

Indeed, her future as a vocalist has come with great rewards. Since her debut, Henry has established herself among the jazz world’s most acclaimed performers, possessing a potent combination of dynamic vocal abilities, impeccable phrasing and powerful emotional resonance.

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

Henry has also garnered the reputation as a vocalist who tells intimate tales through precise interpretations of a repertoire that includes the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, popular standards, blues and originals.

“I grew up listening to Whitney Houston whose voice was the pinnacle for a female vocalist,” Henry said. “I used to sing her songs a lot at vocal competitions but there were other women of the 70s and 80s who influenced me as well: Aretha Franklin, Stephanie Mills, Denise Williams and Patti Labelle. They brought emotion to lyrics that told stories that you could remember.”

Preparing for her recent performance in New York City, which will be followed by a three-night stint at Jazz St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri (Dec. 15 – 17) and then early next year for two nights on Jan. 18 –19 at the iconic Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., Henry said she always enjoys selecting the music for each performance – especially for Christmas.

“Now that we’re past COVID, people are beginning to leave their homes and get back out into the world and I’m so grateful to be able to perform in front of live audiences again,” she said. “I have a tremendously talented group of musicians who make it easy for me to sing my best – to give everything I’ve got to my audience.”

“And this year, during this holiday season, I am even more thankful. I guess I am more aware of the reason for the season than ever before and it’s great to be able to bring people together, to sing some of the beautiful carols and spirituals that remind us of Christmas and what Christmas is really all about – a miracle,” she said.