Bruce A. Henry Presents his 50th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, July 22, 2023
Dakota 7:00pm

Vocalist Bruce A. Henry, returns to Dakota to celebrate his 50th Anniversary in entertainment on Saturday, July 22 at 7:00pm. Tickets available at https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/bruce-henry/

Rejoicing in this very special performance, Bruce will perform original music, covers, poetry and share stories from his award-winning career. Joining in this special celebratory performance is Bruce’s band of Minnesota legends – Wild Horses Run Free, including; Jay Young – Bass, Daryl Boudreaux- Percussion, Sean Turner – Piano, Dean Magraw – Guitar, Kevin Washington – Drums, and Omar Abdulkarim- Trumpet.

Bruce’s concerts are more than just entertainment—they are an opportunity for community members to come together and celebrate the power of music. His performances evoke a sense of unity and shared appreciation for the artistic expression of various cultures and traditions. A man of great improvisation and knowledge, his national and international recognition and have allowed Bruce to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of musical styles and genres.

For many years Bruce was “the most recognizable male voice in Twin Cities” (jazz police). Some know him as a versatile jazz vocalist, others a gospel singer, still others know him as a composer, a poet, an activist and historian. Many will remember him as a headliner with The Rupert’s Orchestra performing Motown Soul and Rock dance music. Even many of his closest fans don’t know that Bruce recorded Funk and R&B as part of the Minneapolis Sound in the 1980s.

Today, Bruce continues to be a fixture on the Minnesota Music scene. He is one of Chicago’s premier vocalists and his performances celebrating The Evolution of African American music concerts and lectures are sought after around the country.

Bruce A. Henry is a vocalist, historian, storyteller, composer and performer extraordinaire. A baritone, whose three-and-a-half octave range allows him to sing tenor, alto and falsetto, Bruce has a pure voice with a versatility few can match. Bruce’s music has taken him to five continents, and has performed with and opened for the likes of Doc Severinson, Roberta Flack, Chris Botti, Ramsey Lewis, Stephane Grapelli, Jimmy Jam and The Sounds of Blackness.

Henry’s eclectic vocal style has been influenced by legends such as John Coltrane, Leon Thomas, Gil Scott Heron, Al Jarreau, Nina Simone and Marvin Gaye. He has a deep understanding of the connection between history, music and culture, and how generations of expression build upon one another. Bruce developed The Evolution of African American Music to teach the rich connection from traditional African music to the contemporary music we hear today.

“We can’t turn away when Bruce is on stage. His presence is simultaneously commanding and approachable. His joy is contagious. He nearly overpowers with emotion, leaving one breathless but still standing. When he improvises it’s as if creating a ceremonial chant from ancient fragments. His voice is his horn, and he can swing like Goodman, spin and spiral like Parker, or levitate like Coltrane.” – Andrea Canter, Jazz Police