Nicole Henry shown with her full band on stage at her 2018 Winter Concert at the Colony Theatre, where she'll perform this year's concert "My Favorite Things" on Tuesday, Dec. 17. (Photo by Max B)
One of Miami Beach’s holiday traditions is welcoming Nicole Henry’s annual Winter Concert, and, this year for her 11th season, she is bringing a tuneful evening filled with her “favorite things.”
Henry’s winter concert, "My Favorite Things," is a one-night-only event and fundraiser. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Colony Theatre.
Nicole Henry performing at her 2018 Winter Concert at the Colony Theatre. (Photo by Leesa Richards)
But, just because her concert always occurs around the holidays doesn’t mean it will be a program of only Christmas music, says Henry.
“I chose this theme because I wanted to sing some of my favorite music. This doesn’t necessarily mean Christmas music although there will be some of my favorites but I am including my other favorite types of music as well,” says Henry.
In fact, Christmas music wasn’t Henry’s favorite type of music growing up; there was a lot of Motown, jazz, and classical; all kinds of music was heard in her home.
Nicole Henry singing with student musicians from the Miami Music Project. (Photos by Sergio at Eyeworks)
So, in addition to holiday favorites, Henry is also going to add some favorite songs from her other albums, along with songs that she has never recorded.
“I tried to mash up everything that’s positive because I want the show to be a celebration, and show how music can allow us to feel good about the amazing things in life, not only during the holiday season, but also throughout the year as well.”
Although she was born in Philadelphia, Henry has made her home here since she came to the University of Miami and, after graduation, decided to stay in South Florida and become a professional singer.
Nicole Henry performing at her 2018 Winter Concert, which had the theme “For the Love of You.” (Photo by Leesa Richards)
She performed throughout Miami Beach. It was when she began releasing her CDs in 2004, her career took off, and Henry is now considered one of the jazz world’s most acclaimed vocalists, earning rave reviews in newspapers including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, which called her a “pop soul superwoman.”
Her work has paid off; her CDs, which once steadily climbed the charts, now tend to spike immediately upon release.
“I’ve had four Top 10 concerts out of the five studio albums I’ve done, and I’ve also done two live albums and an EP (extended play recording). They’ve all gone Top 20,” Henry notes.
Nicole Henry performing in 2018 at her annual Winter Concert. Always a fundraiser, this year's concert's proceeds will be split between the Miami Music Project and the SAVE Foundation. (Photo by Leesa Richards)
She also spent part of the year touring, although she did spend a little extra time in Miami Beach, she says.
“For about three years, I visited about 46 cities promoting my last album, so that kept me on the road a lot. This year was kind of a wind down year for me.”
In addition to touring in some new U.S. cities, she also had time to perform locally, at concerts including a live evening with her friend and fellow jazz artist Leesa Richards, and performances at Le Poubelle, a new intimate cabaret in North Miami Beach.
Nicole Henry with student musicians from the Miami Music Project. Proceeds from her Winter Concert goes to the Miami Music Project. (Photo by Sergio at Eyeworks)
At her previous Winter Concerts, Henry has featured guest performers, and, as is customary, she is keeping mum on who, if any, they might be. But, as tradition dictates, she is expected to be joined by student musicians from the Miami Music Project, the non-profit organization that provides free music lessons to Miami-Dade County public schoolchildren, and is one of the beneficiaries of the concert.
The other share of the proceeds will go to the SAVE Foundation, which is South Florida’s longest-serving organization dedicated to protecting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) against discrimination.
Over the years, Henry has received many awards, both for her singing, as well as for her philanthropy, but one very special one she received this year was from Unity on the Bay, the Miami church where she often sings with the choir.
Although she was born in Philadelphia, Nicole Henry has made her home in South Florida since graduating from the University of Miami. (Photo by Leesa Richards)
The award, called the “Light of Unity Award,” was given to Henry by Unity on the Bay, the Miami church where she often sings. The award is given for “spreading light and unity,” and, as Henry’s fans can attest, it is something she always does well.
If You Go:
- WHAT: Nicole Henry’s 11th Annual Winter Concert
- WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.
- WHERE: Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
- TICKETS: $45-$135
- INFORMATION: (305) 674-1940 | www.nicolehenry.com/tickets
