The British and Jamaican jazz pianist displays on his lengthy journey to changing into a musician assured in his voice and skills.
AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
Discovering your voice is usually a lifelong battle, and for musicians additionally looking for a novel sound that fits them, the wrestle can depart you feeling like an impostor. That is how musician Ashley Henry explains it.
RASCOE: Discovering your voice is usually a lifelong battle, and for musicians additionally looking for a novel sound that fits them, the wrestle can depart you feeling like an impostor. That is how musician Ashley Henry explains it.
ASHLEY HENRY: Simply the entire concept of being an artist typically, particularly once I was youthful, you understand, I imply, it could typically really feel a bit out of attain or one thing that is not doable.
RASCOE: However because the British and Jamaican jazz pianist says, the extra you belief the method, you uncover one thing nice inside your self.
RASCOE: However because the British and Jamaican jazz pianist says, the extra you belief the method, you uncover one thing nice inside your self.
HENRY: There’s part of you finally that simply goes, sure, it’s doable, and you’re doing it proper now, you understand? And it is simply that sport of, like, you understand, simply accepting it and embodying it and trusting that aspect of you.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TAKE IT HIGHER”)
HENRY: (Singing) Let’s get away and take it larger.
RASCOE: Ashley Henry’s observe “Take It Greater” is all about connecting with your self and expressing your voice. However that does not imply you are sui generis. Henry can hint his voice to his father’s stereo.
RASCOE: Ashley Henry’s observe “Take It Greater” is all about connecting with your self and expressing your voice. However that does not imply you are sui generis. Henry can hint his voice to his father’s stereo.
HENRY: I grew up with, like, such an enormous file assortment, like, as a result of my dad owned a sound system, and we lived in a really enclosed group, which was predominantly, you understand, Afro Caribbean. So lots of the Jamaican data and even a few of the data from Stateside – such superb music. So it is like in my head, from a younger child, it is similar to, rattling, that is the entry stage, if you wish to be an artist, whether or not it was like Dennis Brown or like Stevie Surprise or Earth Wind and Fireplace, or – you understand what I imply? Like, all these nice musicians after which, type of simply choosing up the sleeve as like just a little child and like, actually holding it and taking a look at it, and even simply the art work can type of simply transport you into a complete ‘nother planet.
(SOUNDBITE OF ASHLEY HENRY SONG, “TAKE IT HIGHER”)
HENRY: I am only a music nerd, you understand. I simply love music, you understand what I imply? And typically that may be factor, but additionally not factor should you’re an artist and really doing music your self, ‘trigger typically that impostor syndrome can come via – for me, anyway. It is like a double-edged sword. “Take It Greater” positively has that inspiration from the type of Mizell Brothers period – Donald Byrd, all of the George Benson stuff, that ’70s sound. Numerous that stuff was just like the spine of, like, my childhood, you understand? And in lots of methods, it’s extremely weak for me to type of present that aspect of me as a result of I’ve by no means launched a observe like this earlier than. So having this observe as part of my album, like, actually means the world to me as a result of it is actually, like an entry level into my sonic world. Generally, life can trick us into really feel and restricted. So, like, “Take It Greater” is about tapping into that world past and type of explores the facility of music to move us collectively collectively, like, regardless of every thing that is happening.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TAKE IT HIGHER”)
HENRY: (Singing) Let’s get away and take it larger.
The place the place like, relaxation, respect, pleasure, and childlike creativity is the norm and the place we’re all thriving. In order that’s the place “Take It Greater” comes from. And I simply keep in mind the music simply got here to me, and there was no hesitation. I type of simply allowed it to only come out.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TAKE IT HIGHER”)
HENRY: (Singing) …And take it larger.
I’ve at all times did issues my means, you understand, which type of annoyed, like, my academics, however with out me understanding or realizing I used to be simply creating my sound. I actually needed to essentially simply absolutely delve into that with this album and nonetheless hear what’s come earlier than and what I’ve been influenced by, however on the identical time, they’re going to nonetheless know it is me.
RASCOE: That was jazz musician and singer, Ashley Henry, speaking about his new music, “Take It Greater.” His album, “Who We Are,” is out October 11.
RASCOE: That was jazz musician and singer, Ashley Henry, speaking about his new music, “Take It Greater.” His album, “Who We Are,” is out October 11.
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