Henry Spencer
The Jazz Sanctuary, The Turks Head, Twickenham, TW1 1LF
Music
21 May 2026
Thursday 21 May
Henry Spencer launched his latest album 'The Defector' ("A masterpiece" - Jazz in Europe) following international touring, TV and radio broadcasts and the increase of audiences and followers worldwide. He worked with multi-GRAMMY Award winning Dave Darlington in New York (whose credits include Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter) for his previous two releases, receiving critical acclaim internationally:
"Spencer is one of the great talents of the British jazz scene drawing a high level of recognition. Listen to Spencer's genius" InMusic(DE)
For The Defector Henry Spencer collaborated with Jon Kelly (credits include; Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Richard Ashcroft), co-producer Paul Whalley (platinum-selling producer regularly working with high profile international artists) and composer George Stevenson (commissioned by London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra among others).
The Guardian "Dazzling" The Observer
"A genre-blending masterpiece"
Jazz in Europe
"Big music that demands a big setting – major festival stages and theatres beckon." Jazzwise
"New heights. He climbs very close to the summit with The Defector…in a word, intense." All About Jazz
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.
Henry's unusual and personal approach gives the music its rare, impactful strength; emotionally drawing in as well as exhilarating the listener;
"I've always been most interested in music that's driven by sincere emotional intent and deals with genuine experience. I want to draw in the listener so they engage with the music, relating it to their own personal experience - with as much emotive clarity as if the music had lyrics. It's an outlet, a release… I often use lyrics as part of the writing process."
"Henry Spencer's music has a unique focus and quality rarely experienced. Originals with real meaning"
- Paul Pace, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
Henry Spencer – Trumpet, Flugel, Compositions
Ant Law – Guitar
Matt Robinson – Piano
Jamie Murray – Drums
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