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 realize, I imply, it might probably typically really feel a bit out of attain or one thing that is not attainable.
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 ultimately that simply goes, sure, it’s attainable, and you’re doing it proper now, you realize? And it is simply that sport of, like, you realize, 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 monitor “Take It Larger” 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 monitor “Take It Larger” 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 realize, Afro Caribbean. So loads 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 identical to, rattling, that is the entry degree, if you wish to be an artist, whether or not it was like Dennis Brown or like Stevie Surprise or Earth Wind and Hearth, or – you realize what I imply? Like, all these nice musicians after which, sort of simply choosing up the sleeve as like a little bit child and like, actually holding it and it, and even simply the art work can sort 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 realize. I simply love music, you realize what I imply? And typically that may be an excellent factor, but additionally not an excellent factor for those who’re an artist and really doing music your self, ‘trigger typically that impostor syndrome can come by means of – for me, anyway. It is like a double-edged sword. “Take It Larger” undoubtedly has that inspiration from the sort of Mizell Brothers period – Donald Byrd, all of the George Benson stuff, that ’70s sound. A variety of that stuff was just like the spine of, like, my childhood, you realize? And in loads of methods, it is very susceptible for me to sort of present that aspect of me as a result of I’ve by no means launched a monitor like this earlier than. So having this monitor 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 Larger” is about tapping into that world past and sort of explores the ability of music to move us collectively collectively, like, regardless of all the things 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 Larger” comes from. And I simply keep in mind the tune simply got here to me, and there was no hesitation. I sort of simply allowed it to only come out.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TAKE IT HIGHER”)
HENRY: (Singing) …And take it larger.
I’ve all the time did issues my approach, you realize, which sort of pissed off, like, my academics, however with out me realizing or realizing I used to be simply creating my sound. I actually wished to actually simply totally 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 will nonetheless know it is me.
RASCOE: That was jazz musician and singer, Ashley Henry, speaking about his new tune, “Take It Larger.” His album, “Who We Are,” is out October 11.
RASCOE: That was jazz musician and singer, Ashley Henry, speaking about his new tune, “Take It Larger.” His album, “Who We Are,” is out October 11.
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