The Most Joyful Live Show In America Right Now Might Be Cory Henry's
Cory Henry is clearly going through something—and it sounds amazing. After winning his first Grammy this year for his roots-gospel album, Church, the organist and singer, known for his work with Snarky Puppy and Vulfpeck, appears to be in communion with something bigger than the stage.
Last night at The Miracle Theater in Inglewood, California, Henry presided over a three-and-a-half hour celebration of his Grammy win with a soul-food dinner party and performance that felt as much like a revival of the spirit as a record showcase. Henry says he wants to make it a regular community gathering.
You set yourself a high bar when you open a show like this by priming the audience with Aretha's live Amazing Grace, the centerpiece of the best-selling church album of all time. But Henry isn't competing with the past or trying to recreate it. He's on his own path, paying homage to the greats who came before him—James Cleveland, Billy Preston (perhaps you spotted Henry playing in Saturday Night as a member of Preston's band), Stevie Wonder, Prince.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Cory Henry accepts award for Best Roots Gospel Album for "Curch" onstage during the 67th GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony at Peacock Theater on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by)
Henry grew up performing gospel at church in Brooklyn. He was playing the piano and Hammond B3 at age two, and was on the Apollo stage at six. And while his career put him on tour with Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Boys II Men and others, he's often voiced frustration with the music industry writ large.
Two years ago, I spotlighted Henry's social media posts about no longer wanting to tour for a living and being fed up with the pittance of returns for musicians from streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. 'It'll be amazing if musicians got deals with music companies like pro sport players do with shoe deals...' he wrote.
I still don't see Air Henrys but Church feels like a take-back. In his Grammy acceptance speech, he was ecstatic: 'It's literally my life history on record. This is a testimony for me to follow God.'
That's what last night at the Miracle felt like. I don't need to spell out what the message or the mood is on tracks like 'Praise God," 'I Get Joy," 'Joy Reprise," and 'Musicians Praise.' You already know. This is music built to lift up hands, spirits, heads and maybe even whole communities. In addition to oxtails and fried chicken at the pre-show dinner, there was an open-mike after-party next door after the show that went late into the night). Call it a block party, call it 'Shoutin Music' (another track on Church). Whatever you call it, it's not nostalgia and it might not even be performance. Henry is reclaiming purpose, reclaiming joy and reclaiming space for all the musicians who want more than algorithmic crumbs.
That's what I love about Church and about the spirit of church Henry brought to Inglewood. It somehow doesn't feel like a product but rather like a proclamation. And last night, with dinner plates still warm and the Hammond ringing, that proclamation rang loud and clear.
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