Photo by Andrea Canter
"Bruce Henry is an international voice."—Leigh Kamman,

Bruce Henry "possesses a three and one-half octave range, a pure voice with versatility and depth that few can match" (CD Baby). Twin Citians are fortunate to have this Mississippi native-via-Chicago transplant working--often and in great company—at such venues as the Artists Quarter, Rossi's, and the Dakota. This week, you can hear his rich baritone and creative interpretations backed by a stellar quartet at Rossi's Blue Star Room for five nights, January 25-29.

Born in West Point, Mississippi, Bruce Henry moved to Chicago as a young child and was already singing in the family's Baptist church by age 5. His pianist father immersed young Bruce in the music of Basie and Ellington. Although initially studying classical music at the Chicago Conservatory of Music, his love of improvisation led Henry to the music of Nina Simone, Al Jarreau, and John Coltrane. Absorbing eclectic styles of vocals and composition while touring the world, Henry has garnered a large following in France and the Far East, and has been heard live on the BBC as well as on movie soundtracks. Henry has performed on such legendary international stages as the Malate in Manila, the Klezmer Festival in Israel, Le Bilboquet in Paris, the WhitBread in London, the Coconut Grove in Miami, the Waldorf Astoria in New York, and Grand Wailea in Maui.

Now living in Minneapolis, Henry maintains a nonstop schedule of performing, recording, and teaching. In addition to private lessons, his educational efforts include workshops on creativity, vocal performance, and Afro-American musicology, including the inspirational workshop, "Evolution of African American Music." Henry is on the faculty of Music Tech in St. Paul and is the Music Director for the Hands On Child Care Center for children age 5-16.

Bruce Henry has made three recordings under his name as leader: One Living Soul (1994), Songs of Inspiration (live, 2000), and his most recent recording, Connections (2003, Bahlove Productions). Connections features Henry backed by a who's who of Twin Cities' musicians, including Adi Yeshaya, Nachito Herrera, Anthony Cox, Gordy Johnson, Kevin Washington, Pete Whitman, and more. Noted Mpls-St Paul Magazine, "This CD is not just a masterful work, but also a portrait of the complexities and potential of the human spirit . . . he is a true master of the jazz art form." Says noted educator and historian Mahmoud El-Kati, "At the bottom, the real genius of Bruce Henry's music is his gift for marrying life experiences to musical ideas."

Backing Henry this week will be the premiere rhythm section of pianist Peter Schimke, bassist Jay Young, drummer Kevin Washington, and percussionist Daryl Boudraux.

Rossi's is  at 9^th and Marquette in Minneapolis, music in the lower level Blue Star Room (www.bluestarjazz.com).