Joy Keys chats with Musician Ashley Henry

Ashley Henry is one of a new generation of musicians that have been raised with a wide range of influences

Born and raised in South London, England, United Kingdom, Ashley Henry’s listening and visual styles, range from Sinead Harnett, Digital Underground, ZuZu, Margot Fonteyn, Era Istrefi, Freddie Mercury, and Dreezy – through to having fans that include the abstract artist Gareth Nyandoro, being an advocate for the legend pianist Abdullah Ibrahim…and being a big 6LACK fan.

In 2016 Ashley Henry graduated from Royal Academy of Music, performed with Jason Marsalis and collaborated with legends Terence Blanchard and Jean Toussaint. He is the youngest ever to hit the bill for the International Piano Trio Festival performing with Robert Glasper, and top that year by achieving a childhood dream of performing in the final of the Unisia International Piano Competition in South Africa.

16 January – 9 March 2017 sees Ashley Henry recording his second full studio sessions in London. Collaborating with Luke Flowers (Cinematic Orchestra), MC Mattic (Nowadays France & NY), the Legendary Jean Toussaint, Monte Booker (Soulection), Alicia Olatuja (President Obama Inaugurations – Unlimited Myles), Moses Boyd (Brownswood) and Anthony Joseph (Strut Records).

In January 2017 – at only 25 years, Ashley Henry was commissioned as guest resident Musical Director for both Jazz Café, London and Ronnie Scotts, London and is a FADER MAGAZINE 2017 Emerging Artist.

In March 2017 Ashley Henry was nominated for Jazz FM Award as Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Live Experience of the Year, the latter for his performance at the London Southbank.

Beyond Vinyl Hunter (2019) is Henry's first album with 15 tracks featuring Makaya McCraven, Keyon Harrold, Moses Boyd, Judi Jackson, Theo Croker And More..