The British and Jamaican jazz pianist displays on his lengthy journey to turning into a musician assured in his voice and talents.
AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
Discovering your voice could be a lifelong battle, and for musicians additionally looking for a novel sound that fits them, the wrestle can go away you feeling like an impostor. That is how musician Ashley Henry explains it.
RASCOE: Discovering your voice could be a lifelong battle, and for musicians additionally looking for a novel sound that fits them, the wrestle can go away 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 may possibly 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 might be doing it proper now, you understand? And it is simply that recreation of, like, you understand, simply accepting it and embodying it and trusting that facet 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 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 observe “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 report 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 a variety of the Jamaican data and even a few of the data from Stateside – such wonderful 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 Fireplace, or – you understand what I imply? Like, all these nice musicians after which, sort of simply choosing up the sleeve as like a bit of child and like, actually holding it and taking a look at it, and even simply the art work can sort of simply transport you into an entire ‘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 a superb factor, but in addition not a superb factor in case you’re an artist and truly 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. Numerous that stuff was just like the spine of, like, my childhood, you understand? And in a variety of methods, it’s extremely susceptible for me to sort of present that facet 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. Typically, 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 facility of music to move us collectively collectively, like, regardless of every part that is occurring.
(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 bear in mind the tune simply got here to me, and there was no hesitation. I sort of simply allowed it to simply 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 sort of pissed off, like, my academics, however with out me realizing or realizing I used to be simply growing my sound. I actually needed 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 similar time, they’re going to 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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