Music Industry Critics Like Nicole Henry

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Nicole Henry

Nicole Henry

Nicole Henry who received not one, but two rave reviews last month from music industry mega critics Stephen Holden of the NY Times and Chuck Taylor former writer and senior editor of Billboard magazine returns to New York’s Metropolitan Room at 34 W. 22nd Street in Chelsea on Friday, March 19 at 7:30pm.

With her powerful voice and sexy statuesque stage presence, Henry gives a fresh feeling to classic jazz standards and intimately connects with her fans through her genuine delivery and spirited wit. Chuck Taylor opens his February 14 Valentine’s Day review stating “On rare occasion, a performer is so natural, so fully oneself onstage, that you can’t imagine there’d ever be any question of their calling. Such is the case with adult/jazz artist Nicole Henry- but with a bonus. Not only does she own center stage, she graciously shares it with her audience, including them as active participants.”

Sergio Mendes | Bom Tempo

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Latin Music, Pop, Sergio Mendes

Sergio Mendes | Bom Tempo – [Concord Records, 2010]

Sergio Mendes - Bom Tempo

Sergio Mendes, producer, composer, arranger pianist, band leader and cultural sage, continues his magical ride with Bom Tempo, a beautiful slice of rhythmically fresh inspiration from the internationally celebrated artist. He remains as vibrant and vital today as he was when leading Brasil ’66 to international superstardom. Mendes’ modern sensibilities and ultra sensitivity to the intricate and beautiful Brazilian musical language he himself helped create has always been his focus. Born Tempo expands the maestro’s use of color, texture and street derived energy, highlighting his mastery of authentic Brazilian rhythms and composition. In the end, Bom Tempo is a brilliant summer day celebration.

Vincent Gardner | Three-Five

Tags

African American, Jazz, Trombone, Vincent Gardner

Vincent Gardner | Three-Five – [SteepleChase, 2009]

Vincent Gardner - Three-Five

Vincent Gardner (born in Chicago, Illinois) is an trombonist and composer. As a bandleader, Gardner has released four albums under the SteepleChase record label. He performs with his own groups frequently, in addition to being the lead trombonist for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (which also features Wynton Marsalis). Gardner also performs often with his brother, trumpeter Derrick Gardner and his ensemble, The Jazz Prophets.

Being born into a musical family in which both his father, Burgess Gardner, a trumpeter who has played with many groups including Ray Charles, Count Basie, and Horace Silver, and his mother, a pianist and choir director, are both music educators, Gardner was surrounded by music at an early age. The family moved to East Lansing, Michigan when Gardner was five, while his mother and father completed their doctorate studies at Michigan State University, and then to Virginia Beach, VA when Gardner was six years old, later settling in Hampton, VA. His mother being a church musician, he was at church often for services and choir rehearsals, and began singing in the choir as soon as he was of age, providing him with his earliest musical experiences.