Ashley Henry
Ashley Henry | |
|---|---|
| Born | London, England |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Jazz, soul, hip‑hop |
| Occupations | Pianist, vocalist, composer, producer, bandleader |
| Instruments | Piano, vocals |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels | Sony UK, Naïve |
| Website | www |
Ashley Henry is a British jazz pianist, vocalist, composer, producer, and bandleader.
Early life
Ashley Henry was born in London to Jamaican parents. He earned a BA (Hons) in Music (Jazz) from Leeds Conservatoire in 2014,[1] and studied jazz piano at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating in 2016.[2]
Career
Beautiful Vinyl Hunter (2019)
Henry's debut studio album, Beautiful Vinyl Hunter, was released in September 2019 by Sony UK. It debuted at number 3 on the Official UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart and remained on the chart for five weeks.[3] The record won Jazz Japan's Album of the Year and was nominated for BBC 6 Music's Album of the Year.[2][4] It also received nominations at the Jazz FM Awards 2020 and Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards 2020.[4]
Who We Are (2024)
Henry's second album, Who We Are, was released on 11 October 2024 via Naïve. It received a four‑star review from The Guardian, which praised its "fierce but joyous" blend of jazz, soul, and hip‑hop.[5] NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday aired a 4‑minute feature on Henry's career and his single "Take It Higher".[6]
Musical style
Henry's style fuses jazz with soul, hip‑hop, and electronic textures, drawing on his London upbringing and Caribbean heritage. Critics highlight his use of plunging chords and funky riffs
guest and appearances by Judi Jackson, Aja Monet, Makaya McCraven, Binker Golding, and Theo Croker.[5]
Discography
Studio albums
- Beautiful Vinyl Hunter (Sony UK, 2019)
- Who We Are (Naïve, 2024)
Recognition
- Jazz Japan Awards – Album of the Year: Beautiful Vinyl Hunter (winner, 2019)[4]
- BBC Radio 6 Music – Album of the Year nomination: Beautiful Vinyl Hunter (2019)[2]
- Jazz FM Awards – Album of the Year nomination: Beautiful Vinyl Hunter (2020)[1]
- Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards – Jazz Album of the Year shortlist: Beautiful Vinyl Hunter (2020)[4]
Charity
Henry is a member of the Artistic Board of music education charity Abram Wilson.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Ashley Henry Nominated for 'Album of the Year'". Leeds Conservatoire. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ashley Henry". Royal Academy of Music. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "CHART HISTORY: Beautiful Vinyl Hunter – Ashley Henry". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Ashley Henry on the Future of Jazz & Releasing 'Beautiful Vinyl Hunter'". Spitfire Audio Composer. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Ashley Henry: Who We Are review – upbeat innovation from a pianist with talent to burn". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "Ashley Henry wants 'Take It Higher' to help bring people closer together". NPR. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "Music education charity announces artistic board". Arts Professional. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 18 April 2025.