by Scott Yanow Nicole Henry gained attention in 2005 when she released her debut CD, The Nearness Of You. She started off singing in church and school choirs, and she studied cello for six years. Henry received a scholarship to study architecture in college but instead graduated with a degree in advertising and theater. In 2000 she toured as a background singer for Robet Bradley's Blackwater Surprise, performing dance music. She has since worked as an actress, a spokesperson, an r&b singer and more recently in jazz. She discovered jazz when she was singing in Miami Beach. Bassist Paul Shewchuk invited her to learn some jazz standards and gig with his trio. She found that she enjoyed the freedom of the music and that has been her main direction ever since. Based in Florida, Nicole Henry has performed in Korea, Japan, Mexico, London and throughout the U.S. She has thus far recorded The Nearness Of You and the Japanese-only release Teach Me Tonight.