Bruce Henry © Andea Canter

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 exotic and 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.

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 McNally Smith College in St. Paul and is the Music Director for the Hands On Child Care Center for children age 5-16. One of his newest projects is leading the Freedom Train Ensemble, a 12-piece vocal group accompanied by a five-piece band, with a mission of sharing African American music and history with all people through song, dance and spoken word. “Our message is about the eternal universal struggle for freedom and the role of art and music in that struggle,” says Bruce. “It’s important to me that Freedom Train is uplifting and entertaining, but also informative about the African American experience.” Freedom Train most recently performed in April with Javetta Steele as a fund raiser for a local homeless shelter.

Bruce Henry has made three recordings under his name as leader: One Living Soul (1994), Songs of Inspiration (live, 2000), and 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."

With his rich baritone and creative interpretations, Bruce Henry could be a one-man show, but he’s also an inspired bandleader who brings together accomplished ensembles, this weekend including pianist Peter Schimke, bassist Gary Raynor and drummer Kenny Horst. Catch Bruce whiile you can--this weekend at the Artists Quarter, May 16-17. Sets begin at 9 pm.

The Artists Quarter is located at 408 St Peter Street in downtown St Paul, in the lower level of the Hamm Building; www.artistsquarter.com. Visit Bruce Henry’s website at www.bruceahenry.com