Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles

Cory Alexander Henry, born on February 27, 1987, in Brooklyn, New York, is a multi-talented American musician renowned for his exceptional skills as a jazz organist, pianist, gospel musician, and music producer. Henry's musical journey began at an astonishingly young age, with him starting to play the piano and organ at just two years old.

Early Career and Musical Prodigy

Henry's prodigious talent was evident from an early age. At six years old, he made his debut at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, showcasing his remarkable abilities. This early exposure to performance set the stage for his future accomplishments and cemented his reputation as a child prodigy in the music world.

Professional Career and Collaborations

Henry's professional career began in 2006 when he started touring with various mainstream and gospel artists. His exceptional skills led him to collaborate with a wide array of prominent musicians across different genres. Some notable collaborations include:

• Mainstream artists: Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, P. Diddy, Boyz II Men, Kenny Garrett, The Roots
• Gospel artists: Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams
• Other collaborations: Sara Bareilles, Rob Glasper, Mary Mary, NAS

At the age of nineteen, Henry embarked on a three-year stint as the organist for jazz legend Kenny Garrett, which significantly expanded his musical horizons and exposed him to new audiences.

Snarky Puppy Era

In 2012, Henry joined the experimental jazz and funk ensemble Snarky Puppy. During his time with the band, he achieved significant success:

• Won a 2014 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance
• Won a 2015 Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
• Contributed to the band's reputation as "one of the more versatile groups on the planet right now" according to Rolling Stone

Henry remained with Snarky Puppy until 2018 when he left to pursue his solo career.

Solo Career and The Funk Apostles

After leaving Snarky Puppy, Henry launched his solo career and formed his band, The Funk Apostles. Key highlights of this phase include:

• Released his debut independent album "Art of Love" in 2018
• Released his sophomore full-length project "Something to Say" in October 2020
• Released "Art of Love Live" and "Christmas with You" in 2020

The Funk Apostles lineup consists of talented musicians Henry met throughout his career:

• Adam Agati (Guitar): Has worked with Booker T. Jones and Ludacris
• Sharay Reed (Bass): Performed with Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan
• TaRon Lockett (Drums): Performed with Erykah Badu and Montell Jordan
• Nick Semrad (Keyboards): Worked with Miss Lauryn Hill, Bilal, and Gabriel Garzon-Montano

Musical Style and Influences

Henry is celebrated for his distinctive approach to playing the organ, characterized by its harmonically rich and unpredictable nature. His style draws inspiration from:

• Jazz pianists like Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson
• Traditional Hammond organ players like Jimmy Smith

This unique fusion of influences allows Henry to craft a novel musical language that seamlessly blends jazz and gospel genres.

Recent Achievements and Projects

Henry's career continues to flourish with recent accomplishments including:

• Selected by Quincy Jones to headline his curated "Soundtrack of America" series opening of The Shed in NYC
• Co-produced and wrote "Run to Glory" with Kanye West and Dr. Dre for a Beats Electronics commercial
• Credited as a producer and composer for the song "24" from Kanye West's album "Donda"
• Released his third solo album on September 17, 2021
• Performed the national anthem with Michelle Williams at the NFL's 2021 season opener

Discography Highlights

• "First Steps" (2014) - Charted on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums and Top Heatseekers Albums
• "The Revival" (2016) - Live recording, charted on Top Gospel Albums and Top Jazz Albums
• "Art of Love" (2018) - Debut album with The Funk Apostles
• "Something to Say" (2020) - Sophomore full-length record

Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles continue to captivate audiences with their dynamic blend of blues, soul, R&B, Afrobeat, gospel, and jazz, pushing musical boundaries and upending expectations at every turn.

Sources

• http://tbilisijazz.com/cory-henry/
• https://playingforchange.com/artists/cory-henry
• https://snarkypuppy.com/about
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Henry
• https://www.last.fm/music/Cory+Henry/+wiki
• https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/players/89771-cory-henry-funk-apostles.html
• https://jazzaspensnowmass.org/get-to-know-the-funk-apostles/
• https://www.looproductions.com/en/artists/cory-henry/
• https://massmoca.org/event/cory-henry-the-funk-apostles/
• https://jazzaspensnowmass.org/getting-to-know-cory-henry/