Meet Miami's Hidden Jazz Jewel
World renowned jazz artist got her start at UM
She's the sultry voice that packs clubs and theaters worldwide. They love her in Japan, China, Russia and France.
But there is not place like home, says Nicole Henry, Miami's hidden jazz jewel.
"I love people and that's one of the reasons I feel I can do my job until I can't sing anymore," she said. "I feel one of my responsibilities is to make people feel good about life."
Henry was born in Philadelphia, but her life's work actually began in Coral Gables while she attended the University of Miami. She got her start singing in the halls and eventually local night spots.
But Henry was no wannabe "American Idol" reject. She had pipes that reminded people of some of the great voices of jazz. And to think she was on the fast track to designing bridges and roads as an architect major.
"It's been exciting. I couldn't have planned it, at all," Henry admits. Unfortunately, I'm not as much of a planner as I should be. My lawyer and my consultant say you've really got to make these three-year plans. And I'm like, 'I can't remember what I did yesterday and I just want to make it to the end of the year.'"
As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Not planning has seen Henry skyrocket to the top of jazz charts around the world, helping her build a name that is linked to three international top selling albums.
But the pinnacle of her career occurred earlier this year, when Henry performed the National Anthem at the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl in front of the place she calls home.
And just like she did at UM, Henry made the anthem soar.
"That was great," she said. "It felt like I was on top of the world and I was really. I lived for that moment."
Posted Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 - 6:27 AM EST
