Ashley Henry – Who We Are

South London artist and creative Ashley Henry continues his dominant return with Who We Are – the first new album in five years – released via his own label Royal Raw Records and naïve.

Equal parts rugged, tender and self-assured, Ashley Henry’s blossoming sound has defined him as one of the most important voices in London. Embodying genuinely authentic jazz and soul, his deep cultural awareness and dazzling exploration of textures carve out spaces that feel as nostalgic as they are contemporary. Having just announced his official European tour (here), taking on a pivotal performance at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Hall in April 2025, the acclaimed pianist, vocalist and composer is solidifying an electrifying legacy as his new album enters the spotlight.

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An intimate journey that unites his ethereal affirmations alongside a clear vision for real change, Who We Are becomes a portrait of London through the ever-evolving eyes of Ashley Henry. With his own experiences of hope and frustration, powerful influences past and present, and the cultural knowledge gained from his environment, Henry builds universal sounds representing Black British music – a rare, impactful approach elevating the vibrant sonics that surround him.

Sleek from the offset, the fourteen-track album opens with the stylish lead track “Love Is Like A Movie” ft. US powerhouse Judi Jackson – a classic sound moving freely between the refined, rustic purity of Jackson’s vocals and Henry’s soulful melodics. Diverting from the title track’s bright and ascending visuals (watch), the South Londoner delivers a commanding reimagination of Nina Simone’s iconic track “Mississippi Goddam”. Elevated by a political focus delving into Black history and the fundamental civil rights movement in the 1960s, Henry conveys echoes of the past in every note of his playing, ultimately driven by the spirit of one of the most important legacies in the culture.

Contemporary poet and writer Aja Monet quickly joins the fold across “Fly Away”; ‘We who escape the teeth of pain’, she firmly states as her striking spoken word utilises each pocket while staying discreet to allow its language to be the centrepiece.

Standout collab “All For You”, which taps rising East London rapper MAK sees both artists on superior form as further highlights like “Tin Girl”, “Oh La” ft. Binker Golding and “Autumn” ft. Theo Croker become a canvas for Henry’s sparse, enigmatic vocals to shine with typical elegance. Closing with masterful acrobats from the infamous saxophonist, Who We Are fades out in a renowned sense of serenity and self-assurance – adding a timeless gloss to what stands as a highly significant record for the rising star.

Taking on inspirations that reflect his London upbringing and Jamaican heritage, Ashley Henry’s genre-bending sound and collaborative practice draw from classical training and being a diligent student of the Black radical traditions. Exposed to futurism, history, pulse, restlessness and poise, the young talent naturally gravitated towards muses that have shaped his complex artistry today. From the powerful words of James Baldwin and Angela Davis to the soulful pieces of Ahmed Jamal and George Benson, Ashley’s vivid expressions of Jazz culture feel as beautiful as they are meaningful.

After touring globally with Christine and the Queens and supporting Loyle Carner across the UK, he released his highly-acclaimed album Beautiful Vinyl Hunter in 2019; earning well over 6.5M streams on Spotify alone and a nomination for BBC 6 Music’s Album Of The Year. Boasting collaborations with GRAMMY Award-Winning producers Blue Lab Beats and UK favourite Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn, Ashley went on to headline the infamous Brick Lane Jazz Festival 2023, rubbing shoulders with homegrown talent incl. Bel Cobain, Reuben James and Lex Amor before delivering his stunning body of work My Voice EP – adding another significant project to an already polished discography.