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Interview: Nicole Henry — Jazz Vocalist

Interview:  Nicole Henry — Jazz Vocalist

 

 

 




Introduction to Nicole Henry. 1:02 min.  Interview:  Raymond Elman.  Videographer:  Manuel Perez-Trujillo.  Recorded:  5/26/2015, Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center — FIU.

 

 

NICOLE HENRY is a jazz vocalist based in Miami. Henry was raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and attended the University of Miami on an Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship.  She originally studied architecture, but gradually was attracted to the performing arts.

With Whitney-Houston-like beauty, charisma, and vocal range, and an aunt who was a back-up singer for major performers like Patti LaBelle, Nicole Henry was originally drawn to pop music, but she was soon attracted to the richer, more complex lyrics and music of jazz.

Henry’s repertoire includes the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz titles, contemporary standards, blues, and originals; while her accompaniment ranges from a simple jazz trio to a full big band.

Although a Miami resident, Henry has performed widely in the United States and in many foreign countries.  She has a big following in Japan.

The videos below are organized by topic and run between 30 seconds to 6 minutes.  Click on any video.  You must be connected to the internet.

 

 

CURIOSITY & AWARENESS:  2:29 min.




What was your first awareness of music?

 

EDUCATION:  0:42 min.




What did you study in college that prepared you to become a vocalist ?

 

SEIZING THE MOMENT: 1:36 min.




Given that your aunt was a back-up singer for a variety of stars, what was her reaction to the movie “20 Feet from Stardom?”

 

BE OPEN-MINDED:  3:34 min. 




How did you transition from the disciplines you studied in college to singing in front of a band?

 

SKILL DEVELOPMENT:  4:59 min.




Describe your evolution as a performer and the people and music that influenced you.

 

CRITICAL THINKING:  1:04 min.




Why did you decide to become a jazz vocalist, when pop music could have been more financially rewarding?

 

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS:  2:06 min.




Have you been busy throughout your jazz career?

 

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES – 1:48 min.




What’s the biggest challenge of getting on the same page with a strange band when you’re performing jazz standards?

 

SKILL DEVELOPMENT:  1:33 min.




How did you develop your stage persona?

 

MENTORS:  2:35 min.




Do you have mentors?

 

IMPORTANT SKILLS & BEHAVIORS:  2:00 min.




What skills and behaviors are important to your success?

 

MISSION ORIENTED 1:29 min.




You seem to have a higher calling for your music