INTERVIEW: For Nicole Henry, it’s ‘Time to Love Again’

Photo: Nicole Henry will bring songs from her latest album, Time to Love Again, to the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. Photo courtesy of R. Balacazar / Provided by Fortune Creative with permission.

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Jazz vocalist Nicole Henry’s recent album is titled Time to Love Again, and she will bring the songs from that recording to her debut concert at the Birdland Jazz Club in Midtown Manhattan. That special live performance, called An Evening With Nicole Henry, is set for Monday, July 10 at 7 p.m. Joining Henry on stage will be Shedrick Mitchell on piano, Charles Haynes on drums, Keith Loftus on saxophone and Eric Wheeler on bass, according to press notes.

Time to Love Again, which was released in 2021, features new interpretations of classic songs like “Feeling Good,” “Midnight at the Oasis,” “Wild Is the Wind” and “Love and Affection.” Although the focus of the Birdland gig will be on the new material, Henry also has a tremendous back catalog she could pull from. She has eight albums to her name, plus her stage work, which includes everything from The Color Purple to The Bodyguard to the new musical A Wonderful World.

The accolades have come Henry’s way as well. She’s the winner of a Soul Train Award for Best Traditional Jazz Performance, and she has headlined concerts around the world, including in Tokyo and Madrid. The Pennsylvania native graduated from the University of Miami and has left quite the impact on that Florida city, winning awards from local organizations and supporting community nonprofits, according to her biography.

Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Henry about her new album and upcoming concert at Birdland. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

When did the Time to Love Again project begin for you? What inspired its creation?

If it’s not too trite to say, in short, love inspired its creation. Philosophically, Time to Love Again has been a guiding principle of mine for as long as I can remember communicating with people. Love, appreciation and consideration of others and our world is the solution to almost every problem. The album project was conceived in early 2021, and it’s a bit of a response to the social and political unrest going on across the world, really. And getting to perform each one of these songs on tour has provided an escape for me, actually … thank God. I hope for others, too.

I get to look at love from various perspectives that I find fun (i.e.: no heartbreak!). For example, the upcoming single release from the album is our take on the 1986 Sadé tune, “Is It a Crime?” It explores the desirous side of love. Ha, I’ll never get tired of having to ‘go there’!  

I’m grateful the album’s been so well-received both by the media and radio. “Is It a Crime?” is already getting some great airplay, and its official release is July 7. 

How do you make some of these iconic songs your own? How do you put a unique take on them?  

Way back in 2004, Billboard Magazine reviewed by my debut CD and stated, “Nicole truly makes each song uniquely her own and aims right at the emotional center.” I was so touched by that opinion and observation. That’s always my goal. Singing, or even acting on stage as another character, you can only be authentically you, no matter what the lines or lyrics are. Plus, I’ve been super fortunate to have long-term bandmates who really meet me where I’m at as a singer (and go beyond!), and they create such creative beds of music for me that match my intention for each lyric. 

When did you first fall in love with jazz and singing?

I was blessed to have the arts in my life from early on. I grew up with my mom playing piano in the house, I was singing in school and church choirs since third grade, playing cello, studying ballet and hearing my Aunt Debra Henry sing soul, R&B and gospel live and on her albums. Then I studied acting in college. In 2001, after graduating, I devoted myself to a full-time singing career, and it’s been an adventure since then. It was in 2002 that I personally discovered jazz and fell in love with the genre and sound. Crazy that I never really was exposed to the genre until then!

Otherwise, I fall in love with singing more and more with every performance, particularly because I started taking singing lessons in 2016, and I’ve been learning so much about the possibilities of my instrument. Better late than never 😬.

Do you feel at home making a studio album? Do you like the process of perfecting the sound?  

I love it all! Time to Love Again is my eighth album, my sixth studio project. I absolutely love the entire process from beginning to end — concept, song selection, arrangements, being in the studio with amazing musicians, etc. And then, having a producer that gets me and engineers that add that shine …whoa! That’s the icing on the cake! It can become magic. I feel I found that with this last project especially. I’m so grateful for the team effort. 

Are you excited to make your Birdland debut? What’s it like preparing for a concert at the historic venue?

We’ve all seen so many greats on that stage. I’m definitely excited! I’ve played many venues in NY, but to be making my debut at Birdland is thrilling. So, I’ve created a new set. I’ve got a ‘new’ rhythm section combination, and I’m ready to “…Love Again!” (LOL— was that corny?)

What’s next for you after this summer concert?

I’ll tour through July, and then I am actually getting to take some real time off for the first time since early January 2022. So, August and early September I’ll use to plan for the release of my next album, which I hope will be out sometime in the first quarter of 2024. Then it’s vacation for two weeks. Ah, thanks for the reminder 🙏🏽.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

An Evening With Nicole Henry will be presented Monday, July 10 at the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. Click here for more information and tickets.