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Embracing Nicole Henry

 

The song stylist sells out a pair of New York City shows on the eve of the release of her critically-acclaimed new album, Embraceable

 

Miami Beach, FL (24 August 2011): Glowing reviews have embraced the arrival of the fifth album from song stylist Nicole Henry, which was released Tuesday (August 23) by ArtistShare.  On Monday night, Henry performed many of the songs from Embraceable at a pair of sold-out, standing room-only shows to enraptured audiences at Jazz at Lincoln Center' Dizzy' Club Coca Cola. 

 

Henry was backed at Dizzy' by a gifted combo, including Grammy nominated guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Larry Grenadier (Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Fly) and drummer Eric Harland (Joshua Redman, McCoy Tyner, Charles Lloyd), each of whom performed on Embraceable.  Rounding out the ensemble were pianist Aaron Goldberg (Wynton Marsalis, Betty Carter, Madeleine Peyroux) and saxophonist Dayna Stephens (Roy Hargrove, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder).     

 

Produced by Grammy nominee Matt Pierson (Kirk Whalum, Jane Monheit, Joshua Redman), who corralled a collective of world-class musicians, Embraceable is being worked at multiple radio formats, including straight-ahead jazz and smooth/contemporary jazz, the latter of which was serviced Henry' sterling and totally unique interpretation of the Bob Marley classic 'Waiting In Vain.'  USA Today' Elysa Gardner wrote 'The silver-voiced songbook interpreter adds Bob Marley to her repertoire, with typical elegance, on Embraceable.'

 

Profiled last week in a Sunday spotlight feature in the Miami Herald, the suburban Philadelphia native-Miami transplant will support Embraceable with a flurry of performances, events and a radio interview in her adopted hometown.  On Sunday, Henry will perform at Unity Church in Fort Lauderdale.  Next Monday, she will be interviewed live on public radio station WLRN.  On the 30^th, catch Henry on stage in Kendall at Blue Martini.  An official album listening party will be held at The Stage on August 31^st at which Henry will perform.  The following night, Henry will dazzle the crowd at Loews Miami Beach. 

 

Below are highlights from some of the early reviews of Embraceable:

 

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: 'It is true skill when a performer can create a memorable moment with new material. That is exactly what singer Nicole Henry does with the song 'Even When You're Gone' on her new album, Embraceable.  In a presentation that is rich

 

Nicole Henry/Page 2

 

both in voice and grasp of song, she creates a story about loss that seems poetically deeper than the lyrics state.'

 

Smooth Jazz Daily: 'Nicole Henry combines amazing beauty with blissful talent&.Nicole Henry's Embraceable is an impressive artistic statement of an astonishing vocal talent.  This lady inhabitates [sic] the songs like the divine Ella Fitzgerald.'

 

SoulTracks: 'Nicole Henry possesses the kind of sing-the-phone-book voice that is both commonplace and necessary among interpreters of the Great American Songbook.  Her phrasing is impeccable and Henry also has the kind of vocal pronunciation that ensures that her listeners will understand each word&.Embraceable continues a trend of artists putting considerable thought into projects featuring pop standards.  It features covers that have not been done to death and a new and attractive sheen on some well-loved songs. Embraceable also includes originals that sport top-flight lyrics and musical arrangements that draw from the church, the blues club and the Broadway stage.  On all of this, Nicole Henry and her collaborators strike a great balance and Henry proves herself to be a fine interpreter and song stylist.'

 

The Smooth Jazz Ride: 'With a touch here and there reminiscent of the sweet charm of the Dionne Warwick/Burt Bacharach glory years, the bluesiness of Joss Stone, and her own genuinely stirring soul sound, vocalist Nicole Henry drops in on us with a project that captures the attention almost effortlessly with her release, Embraceable.  At times, spinning standards into soul-kissed beauties all her own and at other times using her pure vocals on her own originals (four in all), Henry spells sweetness and depth.  Her spirited and uplifting vocals truly carry the day here easily.  With special help from John Stoddart and Kirk Whalum on select tracks, this young lady does a wonderful job of combining soul, a bit of gospel, blues, and jazz in a signature fashion that offers as much by way of originality and imaginative interpretation as you could want.'

 

Hill Rag: 'Vocalist Nicole Henry' latest album offers a glimpse of the soul and elegance of this young, vibrant and contemporary jazz singer.  Grammy nominated producer Matt Pierson produced the album in exquisite detail, showcasing such winners like 'A Little Time Alone,' 'Even While You're Gone,' 'Waiting In Vain,' and 'Embraceable You.''

O' Place Jazz Magazine: 'This is her fifth release, arguably her best.  Nicole continues to improve as a dramatic vocalist with her rich soulful voice. 'Since I Fell for You' is a perfect match for Henry and one of several standouts.'

 

 

For further information, please visit www.nicolehenry.com.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              Contact: Rick Scott 310.306.0375

                                                                                                greatscottproductions@earthlink.net

 

Nicole Henry to give New York City jazz fans a special embrace

Accomplished ensemble to back the song stylist at Dizzy' the night before the release of Embraceable

Miami, FL (27 July 2011): On the eve prior to the release of her fourth album, Embraceable, Nicole Henry will take the stage at Jazz at Lincoln Center' Dizzy'Club Coca-Cola accompanied by an outfit of world-renowned musicians.  The August 22^nd performance previews the new recording that will be released the following day by ArtistShare.    

 

Set to join Henry on stage are Grammy nominated guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Larry Grenadier (Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Fly) and drummer Eric Harland (Joshua Redman, McCoy Tyner, Charles Lloyd), each of whom performed on Embraceable.  Rounding out the ensemble of notables are pianist Aaron Goldberg (Wynton Marsalis, Betty Carter, Madeleine Peyroux) and saxophonist Dayna Stephens (Roy Hargrove, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder).  

 

'It's going to be amazing to debut at Dizzy's, especially fronting a band of such vibrant, talented, and supportive musicians,' stated Henry.  'Of course, Julian, Larry, Eric & I recorded Embraceable together, and adding Aaron and Dayna will make this show an incredible treat for sure.  I can't wait!'

At a Big Apple show last month at Feinstein', New York Times reviewer Stephen Holden wrote that 'Ms. Henry' beauty added an extra dimension to the performance.  Wearing a clinging silver-and-gold gown, smiling brightly, and tossing her head, she radiated the high-gloss glamour of a proud nightclub diva who didn't have to answer to anyone but herself.  The obvious forerunner of Ms. Henry, who lives in Miami Beach but has cultivated a growing New York following, is the younger Natalie Cole, to whose style she adds a coating of brass.'

 

Only a uniquely gifted artist can take an iconic song by an iconic artist and make it entirely their own.  That' exactly what Henry did with Bob Marley' 'Waiting In Vain,' the first single being sent to smooth/contemporary jazz radio.  Additionally, Embraceable is being serviced to straight-ahead jazz stations across the country. 

 

Embraceable is a classy, masterfully performed showcase for the marvelously gifted vocalist who demonstrates growth and a creative change of direction after coming into prominence while singing jazz standards from the Great American Songbook.  On the forthcoming disc produced by Grammy nominee Matt Pierson (Kirk Whalum, Jane Monheit, Joshua Redman), Henry elected to record four original compositions, including one she co-authored, and eight other songs related to love and romance with the hope of making them into her own modern standards.  Expanding her repertoire beyond jazz, Embraceable, which includes musical contributions from Kirk Whalum, John Stoddart, Oli Rockberger, Gil Goldstein, Jef Lee Johnson, Larry Campbell, Gerald Clayton, Shedrick Mitchell, Gregoire Maret, and Bashiri Johnson, promises to broaden Henry' legion of enchanted listeners.  In addition to the New York Times, critics from Billboard, JazzTimes, All About Jazz, Jazz Improv NY, L.A. Jazz Scene, Miami Herald, Miami New Times, Goldmine, and many others have praised Henry' recordings and live shows.  For additional information, please visit www.nicolehenry.com. 

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Contact: Rick Scott 310.306.0375

                                                                                    greatscottproductions@earthlink.net

 

Song stylist Nicole Henry embraces change with soul and elegance

 

Vocalist to release Embraceable on August 23^rd supported by NYC performances at Feinstein' and Dizzy'

 

Miami Beach, FL (22 June 2011): After releasing a trio of critically-acclaimed albums and amassing reams of rave reviews and accolades about her live performances, Nicole Henry could have simply continued singing the Great American Songbook to blissfully satiate discerning music listeners.  But like the truly gifted artist that she is, Henry deemed the time right to change, grow and expand her artistic muse.  Audacious and undaunted in the face of uncertainty and risk, the highly rewarding result is Embraceable, an exquisite and elegantly performed twelve-song collection that adeptly delivers material certain to please those familiar with Henry' soul-stirring artistry while garnering ardent admirers beyond jazz.  Grammy nominated producer Matt Pierson (Kirk Whalum, Jane Monheit, Joshua Redman) produced the gorgeous record that will be released August 23^rd through ArtistShare, a unique platform that invites fans to help finance and follow the creative process of their favorite artist' recording project through exclusive behind-the-scenes video clips, photos and updates.         

 

While jazz standards are timeless, Henry is a young, radiant, contemporary woman and an innate story-teller who desired to pour her passion into newer songs about experiences and emotions related to love and romance that she could establish as her own 'modern standards.'  Henry and Pierson elected to record four original songs for Embraceable, including a pair of soulful ballads from gospel/R&B artist John Stoddart ('Anything For You' and 'Even While You're Gone'), the triumphant affirmation 'Hush Now' penned by Oli Rockberger, and collaborated with Stoddart and Doug Emery to compose the rousing 'A Little Time Alone,' featuring Kirk Whalum's soaring sax and a celestial, Sunday morning churchlike Henry vocal.  Whether it be a Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil tune ('Just A Little Lovin''), a signature song from Bob Marley ('Waiting In Vain'), or a Gershwin classic ('Embraceable You'), each song emerges from the core of her being.  Although Henry possesses the vocal power capable of lighting up her hometown of Philadelphia, instead she skillfully lets her voice caress, emoting with the same kind of iconic grace, class and control from which legends are made.  And when she does release her full command, it' genuine, poignant and stunning.               

       

Pierson was savvy to maintain the sense of warmth and intimacy that Henry' alluring voice fosters naturally by using only live instrumentation, including horn and string sections.  Recorded in New York City, he summoned world-class musicians to contribute to Embraceable including Whalum, guitarists Julian Lage, Jef Lee Johnson and Larry Campbell, Gerald Clayton (piano), Shedrick Mitchell (organ), Gregoire Maret (harmonica), Larry Grenadier (bass), Eric Harland (drums), Bashiri Johnson (percussion), and Gil Goldstein (piano), the latter of who splendidly arranged 'Waiting In Vain' and 'Embraceable You.'   

 

'The creation of Embraceable afforded me a wonderful opportunity to challenge myself to grow musically, personally and professionally.  I wanted to take a larger step in a new direction.  And we know change is often met with resistance - even when it is self-initiated.  Embraceable

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reflects a process of letting go and getting out of my own way.  It' about being open, honest and communicative.  There were a lot of new things and new people to trust, which has always been the hardest thing for me, and I had to trust and listen to myself.  I had to be forgiving, willing and loving.  Most importantly, I had to not only accept all of what I was going through, but I had to love and embrace it,' explained Henry.

 

This coming weekend, Henry will preview music from Embraceable with performances June 24^th & 25^th at Feinstein' in New York City where she will be backed by Aaron Goldberg (piano), Richie Goods (bass) and Gregory Hutchinson (drums).  On August 22^nd, Henry will celebrate the album release with a show at Dizzy' at Lincoln Center featuring many of the musicians who played on the disc including Lage, Grenadier and Harland.

 

Critics from New York Times, Billboard, JazzTimes, All About Jazz, Jazz Improv NY, L.A. Jazz Scene, Miami Herald, Miami New Times, Goldmine, and many others have hailed Henry' recordings and concerts.  Jazz radio welcomed Henry upon release of her debut album, The Nearness of You, in 2004, which earned her Best New Jazz Artist honors from HMV Japan.  Her follow-up, Teach Me Tonight, spotlighting accompaniment by the Eddie Higgins Trio, went #1 in Japan where HMV Japan named it the Best Jazz Vocal Album of 2005.  Henry' 2008 disc, The Very Thought of You, reached #7 on Billboard' jazz album chart and enabled the Miami Beach-based singer to perform throughout Japan, Europe, and Russia in addition to New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC.  Further information is available at www.nicolehenry.com. 

 

The songs that comprise Henry' Embraceable are:

 

'Just a Little Lovin''

'Like Someone in Love'

'Anything for You'

'Since I Fell for You'

'Trouble in Mind'

'Hush Now'

'Waiting in Vain'

'Embraceable You'

'A Day in the Life of a Fool'

'Even While You're Gone'

'A Little Time Alone'

'Save Me From Myself'

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