Latest Released Album
The Defector
“THE DEFECTOR IS A MASTERPIECE”
Jazz In Europe
“Dazzling” The Guardian ★★★★ | The Observer ★★★★
The soldier deserter from an army committing war crimes.
The partner that leaves their abusive relationship for a freer life.
The politician who challenges and leaves their party to protect democracy.
The North Korean dissident that chooses the life-threatening endangerment of attempting to escape, crossing the border into a completely unknown world, rather than stay living with oppression.
“I’m unable to fully relate to, or describe, these defectors’ suffering and bravery in the face of extreme danger, but I’m inspired by, and have a deep admiration for their moral courage, strength and determination to improve their situation and help others around them. As much as I fail, I think it’s worthwhile and honourable to emulate, even slightly, these qualities in our own ordinary lives.”
For this record, Henry Spencer collaborated with two platinum selling producers, Jon Kelly and Paul Whalley (credits include Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Paul McCartney, John Lennon) and Scottish composer George Stevenson (commissioned by London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Psappha Ensemble among others).
“Spencer sets the bar high…as if he's a singer-songwriter with a horn. Dazzling”
The Guardian ★★★★
"Henry Spencer's music has a unique focus and quality rarely experienced from others of his generation... Originals with real meaning" Paul Pace, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
“Big music - major festival stages and theatres beckon: this record has the ambition and the ability to deliver.”
Jazzwise ★★★★
“Sometimes these awards add extra pressure or, as is the case here, propel the musician to new heights. He climbs very close to the summit here with The Defector...The result, in a word, is intense.”
All About Jazz
"Henry Spencer is considered one of the great talents of the British jazz scene drawing a high level of recognition...
Listen to Spencer's genius."
InMusic(DE) ★★★★★
Live Performance
Touching jazz, rock and minimalism, the music’s “astonishing dynamic variety” (Manchester Jazz Festival) combines Henry’s “spectacular technique” (The Guardian), intense, raw energy and evocative outlets, with moments of intimate, heart-felt, emotionally-led, lyrical melodies – almost as if there were words being sung.
