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Nicole Henry has won praise from both critics and audiences worldwide for her powerful ability to truly touch and inspire people with her beautiful voice and stunning presence. She has released three international TOP 10-selling jazz CDs within the past five years and has toured in over ten countries. Jazz Improv writes, “…beautiful, emotionally evocative…a terrific voice and a sensitive way with a lyric.” It’s with that same sensitivity that Nicole Henry mesmerizes audiences wherever she goes. Uplifting and captivating, her voice embraces jazz, pop and soulful nuances with a spirited ‘joie de vivre.”
Born in Philadelphia, Nicole was raised in the arts haven of Bucks County. After graduating from the University of Miami, Nicole performed throughout Miami singing pop, soul and original music, winning local awards and lending her voice to recordings. In 2004, after falling in love with the melodies, lyrics and freedom of jazz, Nicole released her solo debut CD The Nearness of You to critical acclaim. In the U.S., Nicole received rave reviews and airplay on national jazz radio, including XM and Sirius Satellite Radio. In Japan, after climbing to #2 on HMV Japan Jazz Charts, and staying in the TOP 10 for three months HMV Japan named Nicole “Best New Jazz Artist of 2004.” Her follow-up CD, Teach Me Tonight with the Eddie Higgins Trio reached #1 at HMV Japan, and earned her their honor of “Best Vocal Jazz Album of 2005.”
Nicole’s latest CD release, The Very Thought of You reached #7 on the U.S. Billboard Jazz Chart in September 2008, positioned between Diana Krall and Tony Bennett. This romantic CD features love songs, originals and gems from the great American Songbook. It was produced by music veteran Hal Batt (Regina Belle, Jean Carne, Julio Iglesias) with an assist from Executive Creative Producer Don Mizell (co-producer of Ray Charles’ Genius Loves Company).
Nicole’s impressionable voice and ever increasing international popularity is also recognized by Delta Airlines. Among a select group of jazz greats like Miles Davis and Cassandra Wilson, Delta featured Nicole’s The Nearness of You CD on their in-flight entertainment programming for sixteen months on all international and U.S. transcontinental flights. With continued support, they are currently featuring The Very Thought of You. In the world of fashion, Nicole’s modern style and grace is considered a perfect match for designer Nicole Miller who exclusively sponsors Nicole’s performance wardrobe out of their South Beach- Miami boutique.
Billboard wrote that “Henry is a jazz vocalist on the cusp of bigger things,” and indeed she continues to be. Once you hear her there is one thing upon which everyone seems to agree, Nicole Henry is simply one of the finest vocalists to emerge this decade.
CAREER PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS:
Jazz a Juan les Pins, French Riviera
Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival
Lincoln Center w/ the Juilliard Jazz Octet, NYC
Five National Tours of Japan, including Nango & Tendo Jazz Festivals
Four Tours of Central Mexico including Tribute to Billie Holiday
Madrid International Jazz Festival, Spain
Tomsk Philharmonic Hall, Russia
Blues Alley, Washington, D.C.
The Dakota, Minneapolis
Duc des Lombards, Paris
The Rainbow Room & The Cotton Club, NYC w/ the Cab Calloway Orchestra
Iridium, NYC
Anthology, San Diego
COEX Theater, Seoul
Jazziz Bistro, Fort Lauderdale
100 Century Avenue, Shanghai
Catalina Jazz Club, Los Angeles
The Metropolitan Room, NYC
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Pittsburgh
Carnival Center for the Performing Arts (Arscht Center), Miami
Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale
