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Women To Watch: Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani With Nicole Henry

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Songstress Nicole Henry is one of the jazz world's most accomplished and acclaimed vocalists.

Nicole's repertoire runs the gamut; classic, contemporary, standards, blues and originals.

Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani "tracked" down Nicole in Boca Raton, during a first class performance at Jazziz Nightlife.

Henry and her band were in fine form when Gilani crashed their gig at Jazziz Nightlife.

Henry, a Philadelphia native, attended the University of Miami at age 17. She studied architecture, acting and advertising but it was singing that allowed her to touch people. Singing was (and still is) her number one goal.

When Nicole realized that singing was her calling, she devoted herself to it and never looked back.

"It was a realization that my singing talents could touch people on an emotional level to let them feel understood, to let them know I'm with them and to celebrate their emotions, whatever they are," said Nicole.

Watch Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani one on one interview with Nicole Henry

Nicole was able to turn her passion into a career and turn her career into a personal commitment to communicating with others.

Nicole, when Gilani asked for advice on how she makes it happen, said, "Start small but dream big" seems to be it, in a nut shell, especially when going for the gusto--as in taking on big challenges and sticking the landing."

Nicole's success could serve as proof that she knows the recipe to success.

"It took time and patience. We started off in smaller jazz clubs and then for the last two years I've been playing Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Blue Note in New York. Yes, it's a dream come true," said Nicole.

But Nicole's success is a result of hard work, long hours and lots of hearing the word 'no.'  Nicole is resilient, smart, beautiful, nice, and she can sing.

"If it's broke…fix it," said Nicole. "I always say to myself, 'Stop' look at my life what don't I like and how can I fix it? What control do I have to fix what I don't like?"

Nicole gets inspiration (artistic and personal) from Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughn.

"I'm an old head like that," Nicole said.

There's no doubt that Nicole can sing, but Gilani found, after a long interview, that she could also talk for hours—and Nicole doesn't deny that.

"When people say 'come do a question/answer,' I say, 'I got it covered," said Nicole. "Ask me two questions and it'll be three hours."

Gilani was stunned by Nicole's performance at Jazziz was stunning. Nicole singing into the camera, Gilani joked, made the nine hour interview well-worth it.

Nicole will be performing at the famed Blue Note in New York City over July 4th weekend and will be at Jazziz in Boca on July 23rd.

For more information on Nicole, her music and all her tour dates, visit her online at www.nicolehenry.com.

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