{{Infobox musical artist | name = Tess Henley | image = Tess Henley.JPG | alt = Henley with arms upraised | caption = Henley posing | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1987|10|31}}<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/f62cd1de-fce1-480d-a60d-6dd444bbf9fb |title=Tess Henley – BBC Music |publisher=BBC.co.uk|accessdate=2015-06-10}}</ref> | origin = Kent, Washington, United States | genre = Soul, rhythm and blues | years_active = 2008–present. | website = http://www.tesshenley.com }} '''Tess Henley''' is an American singer-songwriter and pianist from Kent, Washington, United States. Born into a musical family, Henley studied and performed since childhood before launching a career performing soul music. Since 2008, she has released several full-length albums, EPs, and singles and made her television debut on ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'' in 2015.
==Early life== Tess grew up as a middle child born to a professional singer.<ref>{{cite news|title=About Tess Henley|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/tess-henley/biography/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208061918/http://www.mtv.com/artists/tess-henley/biography/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2012|publisher=MTV|accessdate=July 14, 2013}}</ref> She is the younger sister of musician Carson Henley.<ref>{{cite web|title=ACarson Henley – CD Baby|url=http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/CarsonHenley|publisher=CD Baby|accessdate=July 14, 2013}}</ref> She started taking Suzuki Method piano lessons at the age of 3.<ref name="maplevalleyreporter1">{{cite news|title=Covington siblings pursue musical stardom|url=http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/entertainment/26273409.html|publisher=Maple Valley Reporter|accessdate=July 14, 2013|archive-date=July 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721175002/http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/entertainment/26273409.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Henley graduated as valedictorian from Kentlake High School in Kent, Washington in 2006 where she played year-round basketball and soccer.<ref>{{cite news|title=2006 Girls Basketball All-Star Teams|url=http://girlshoops.scout.com/3/all-star.html|publisher=Scout.com|accessdate=August 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809175921/http://girlshoops.scout.com/3/all-star.html|archivedate=August 9, 2013}}</ref> In 2010, Henley graduated from University of Washington with a degree in Communications.<ref>{{cite news|title=An Interview with Seattle's Own Tess Henley – Don't Judge This Book By Its Cover|url=http://www.seaspot.com/blogs/entry/an-interview-with-seattles-own-tess-henley-dont-judge-this-book-by-its-cover.html|publisher=Seaspot|accessdate=August 9, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814143126/http://www.seaspot.com/blogs/entry/an-interview-with-seattles-own-tess-henley-dont-judge-this-book-by-its-cover.html|archivedate=August 14, 2013}}</ref>
==Career== In 2008, Henley released her debut album, ''Easy to Love''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tess Henley – Easy To Love|url=http://www.kevinnottingham.com/2009/09/20/tess-henley-easy-to-love/|publisher=KevinNottingham.com|accessdate=July 14, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231003020/http://www.kevinnottingham.com/2009/09/20/tess-henley-easy-to-love/|archivedate=December 31, 2013}}</ref> In 2011, Tess won Budweiser’s National Superfest Summer Block Party competition to win $25,000 and opened for Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton (musician).<ref>{{cite news|title=Neo Soul Cafe – Budweiser's Opening Act|url=http://neosoulcafe.com/news/budweisers-opening-act-winner/|publisher=Neo Soul Cafe|accessdate=July 14, 2013|archive-date=July 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725004454/http://neosoulcafe.com/news/budweisers-opening-act-winner/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also during 2011, Henley was a top three finalist in R&B category for the John Lennon Worldwide Songwriting Competition,<ref>{{cite news|title=Tess Henley -SoulTracks|url=http://www.soultracks.com/tess-henley|publisher=SoulTracks|accessdate=July 14, 2013}}</ref> the winner of the 2011 International Song Competition for SoulTracks.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Releases Tuesday May 7, 2013|url=http://www.jigsawmagazine.com/2013/05/new-release-tuesday-5713.html|publisher=Jigsaw Magazine|accessdate=August 3, 2013}}</ref> and the winner of an Independent Music Award in 2012.<ref>[http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/2012/11th-annual-independent-music-awards-winners-announced/ "11th Annual Independent Music Awards Winners Announced!"] Independent Music Awards, 2 May 2012. Retrieved on 4 Sept. 2013.</ref>
After releasing a deluxe edition of ''Easy to Love'' through Tower Records Japan in September 2011, Henley released a 7" vinyl in October 2011 of the duet, "What You Won't Do for Love", featuring Mycle Wastman from ''The Voice'', for the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.
In May 2013, Henley released her sophomore studio album ''High Heels & Sneakers'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Tess Henley – High Heels & Sneakers [LP Stream] Okayplayer |date=6 May 2013|url=http://www.okayplayer.com/news/tess-henley-high-heels-and-sneakers-lp-stream-mp3.html|publisher=IMDB|accessdate=July 21, 2013}}</ref> produced by Dice Raw from The Roots and Khari Mateen. Also in 2013, Tess received the Vox Pop R&B/Soul Independent Music Award for "Daydreaming."<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/2013/12th-ima-vox-pop-winners/ |title=Fans Select Winners In The 12th Independent Music Awards Vox Pop Poll |publisher=Independentmusicawards.com |date=2013-08-06 |accessdate=2015-06-10}}</ref> Henley was then named grand prize winner of the Show Me The Music Songwriting Contest with her song, "Who Are You."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.showmethemusiccontest.com/winners/2013-winners/ |accessdate=2023-04-26 |date=2013 |title=Winners |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121025548/http://www.showmethemusiccontest.com/winners/2013-winners/ |archivedate=November 21, 2013 }}</ref>
alt=Henley in profile|thumb|Henley, 2015
Producer Don Was selected Tess<ref name="2015album">{{cite magazine|title=Watch Soulful Singer Tess Henley Collab with Don Was in Exclusive In-Studio Video & Interview |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/tess-henley-don-was-exclusive-studio-wonderland-interview-6465461/ |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |magazine=Billboard |date=February 6, 2015}}</ref> as the Guitar Center Singer-Songwriter III grand prize winner in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://songwriter.revimage.com |title=Guitar Center Singer Songwriter 4 | Winner |publisher=Songwriter.revimage.com |date= |accessdate=2015-06-10}}</ref> She became the first female winner in the competition's history, receiving $25,000, music gear, and an EP to be recorded with Don Was.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2014/03/tess-henley-wins-guitar-centers-3rd-annual-singer-songwriter-program/ |title=Tess Henley Wins Guitar Center's 3rd Annual Singer-Songwriter Program |publisher=Americansongwriter.com |date=2014-03-05 |accessdate=2015-06-10}}</ref>
In mid-August 2014, Henley went to Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles with producer Was and session musicians Mike Finnigan, James Gadson, Mark Goldenberg, James "Hutch" Hutchinson, Davide Rossi, and Michito Sanchez to record. The album ''Wonderland'' was released in early 2015.<ref name="2015album" /> On January 22, 2015, Henley made her national television debut on ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'',<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/tess-henley-jimmy-kimmel-live-video-wonderland-6450312/ |title=Watch Tess Henley Bring Soulful Style and Steamy Piano Love to ''Kimmel'' |last=Payne |first=Chris |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |magazine=Billboard |date=January 22, 2015}}</ref> performing "Positively Me" and "Wonderland" from the album. ''Teen Vogue'' premiered the music video for "Wonderland".<ref name="tv">{{cite web |url=http://www.teenvogue.com/entertainment/music/2015-01/tess-henley-wonderland-music-video-exclusive-premiere |work=Teen Vogue |publisher=Condé Nast |title=Exclusive! Tess Henley's Music Video for 'Wonderland' Will Speak Straight to Your Soul |last=Firman |first=Tehrene |date=2015}}</ref>
Following her appearance on ''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'', Henley performed at the NAMM Show and Sundance Film Festival, where she played eight showcases in three days, including the Sundance Institute Music Café, produced by ASCAP.<ref name="kentreporter2015">{{cite web|url=https://www.kentreporter.com/2015/02/04/audience-grows-for-tess-henleys-soulful-music/|title=Audience Grows for Tess Henley’s soulful music|publisher=Kent Reporter|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/sundance-2015-chobani-cafe-and-park-city-live-happy-hour-sponsored/1-chobani-party-10-billboard-650/|title=Sundance 2015 Chobani Cafe and Park City Live Happy Hour|publisher=Billboard|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref>
In July of 2015, Henley opened for Boy George and Culture Club at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles and The Greek Theater in Berkeley, California.<ref name="myspace2015">{{cite web|url=https://myspace.com/article/2015/8/28/10-things-you-should-know-about-tess-henley|title=10 Things You Should Know About Tess Henley|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref> That same year, she was also supporting act on national tours for Eric Hutchinson<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jambase.com/band/eric-hutchinson/setlists/2015|title=Eric Hutchinson Setlists 2015|publisher=JamBase|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref> and Jon McLaughlin,<ref name="myspace2015" /> as well as a residency with Bettye LaVette.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=1521|title=Bettye LaVette at Jazz Alley|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref>
The following year in 2016, Henley opened for Earth, Wind & Fire at Chateau Ste Michelle Winery.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Major |first1=Michael |title=Tess Henley Releases 'Joy Somewhere' Ahead of 'Paramount' LP |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Tess-Henley-Releases-Joy-Somewhere-Ahead-of-Paramount-LP-20221025 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en |date=25 October 2022}}</ref>
Her 2019 EP, ''Better'', included the singles “Better” and “Same Girl”, her version of the 1969 Barbara Acklin song, “Am I the Same Girl”.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grimygoods.com/2019/06/26/tess-henley-new-song-same-girl/|title=Tess Henley New Song “Same Girl”|publisher=Grimy Goods|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flaunt.com/blog/tess-henley-same-girl|title=Tess Henley: Same Girl|publisher=Flaunt|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://change-underground.com/us-singer-songwriter-tess-henley-delivers-new-music-video-for-better/|title=US singer-songwriter Tess Henley delivers new music video for “Better”|publisher=Change Underground|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref> The EP released on August 2, 2019, the same month Tess was the supporting act for Lianne La Havas’ U.S. tour.<ref name="grammybetter">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/tess-henley-talks-soul-music-taking-breaks-better-ep-close-personal|title=Tess Henley Talks Soul Music, Taking Breaks & Better EP|publisher=Grammy.com|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref>
On December 11, 2020, she was featured on "Funny Seeing You Here" from the album, ''Thats What They All Say'' by Jack Harlow.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://genius.com/Jack-harlow-funny-seeing-you-here-lyrics | title=Jack Harlow – Funny Seeing You Here }}</ref>
In July 2022, Henley released the single "Good For Me".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://guitargirlmag.com/news/music-news/singer-songwriter-tess-henley-new-single-good-for-me/|title=Singer-Songwriter Tess Henley New Single “Good For Me”|publisher=Guitar Girl Magazine|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref>
On November 18, 2022, Henley released her 3rd studio album. Henley explained the title, ''Paramount'', as “the never straight line of building the things of paramount importance – fighting for them, gaining them, losing them, redefining them, learning from them, loving them. That is Paramount.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soundoflife.com/blogs/mixtape/tess-henley-paramount-interview|title=Tess Henley Paramount Interview|publisher=Sound of Life|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalmagazine.eu/en/post/tess-henley|title=Tess Henley|publisher=Metal Magazine|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref> The album includes collaborations with Jesse Boykins III, Naz, Wynne Bennett, Yakob and Ari Balouzian.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/albums/Tess-henley/Paramount|title=Paramount Album Credits|publisher=Genius|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref>
In 2025, Henley scored the short film, ''Terror Keeps You Slender'', with songs from Leon Michels of El Michels Affair. The film, directed by Daniel Serafini-Sauli and starring Luke Kirby, premiered at the Tribeca Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribecafilm.com/festival/archive/terror-keeps-you-slender-2025|title=Terror Keeps You Slender|publisher=Tribeca Festival|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref>
==Discography== ;Albums {| class="wikitable" |- ! Title !! Album details |- | ''Easy to Love''.<ref name="maplevalleyreporter1"/>|| *Released 2008 *Independent |- | ''The Appetizer'' || * Released 2010 * Independent |- | ''Easy to Love'' (Deluxe Japanese Edition) || *Released September 2011 * Tower Records Japan |- | ''Easy to Love'' Deluxe Edition (North America)<ref>{{cite news|title=Easy to Love (Deluxe Edition)|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/easy-to-love-deluxe-edition/id452233499|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026174512/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/easy-to-love-deluxe-edition/id452233499|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 26, 2011|publisher=iTunes|accessdate=July 14, 2013}}</ref> || * Released September 2011 |- | ''High Heels & Sneakers'' <ref>{{cite news|title=Tess Henley to Release 'High Heels & Sneakers (US)|url=http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/tess-henley-to-release-high-heels-sneakers/|publisher=Renowned For Sound|accessdate=July 14, 2013}}</ref> || * Released May 7, 2013 |- | ''Wonderland''<ref name="2015album" /> || * Released: February 10, 2015 |- | ''Better'' || * Released August 2, 2019 |- | ''Joy, A Holiday Pack'' || * Released November 8, 2019 |- | ''Paramount'' <ref>{{cite news|title=Paramount|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/paramount/1640818113|publisher=Apple Music|accessdate=August 8, 2023}}</ref> || * Released November 18, 2022 |- | ''At Home'' <ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/at-home/1819772927|title=At Home|publisher=Apple Music|accessdate=2026-05-22}}</ref> || * Released July 11, 2025 |}
;Singles {| class="wikitable" |- ! Title !! Song Details |- | "Boy in the Window" || * Released 2010 * SoulTracks Song Competition Winner <ref>{{cite web|title=Music – Tess Henley: Boy in the Window|url=http://www.singersroom.com/content/2011-06-28/Tess-Henley-Boy-In-the-Window/|publisher=Singers Room|accessdate=July 14, 2013|date=2011-06-28}}</ref> * Independent Music Award <ref>{{cite web|title=The Independent Music Awards: Nominees: Song: R & B|url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/11th/Song/R-and-B|publisher=Independent Music Awards|accessdate=July 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726062947/http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/11th/Song/R-and-B|archivedate=July 26, 2013}}</ref> |- | "Christmas Won't Do Without You" || * Released 2010 |- | "What You won't Do for Love" || * Released October 2011 * A 7" vinyl for Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief Fund |- | "Daydreaming" || * Released 2012 |- | "From the Get Go" || * Released 2013 |- | "Lead Me with Your Light" || * Released 2013 |- | "Wonderland"<ref name="tv" />|| * Released 2015 |- | "Joy Somewhere" || * Released 2022 |- | "Two Can Play" || * Released 2022 |- | "Not In the Mood" || * Released 2022 |- | "Love You More” (At Home) || * Released 2024 |- | "Joy Somewhere” (At Home) || * Released 2024 |- | "Two Can Play” (At Home) || * Released 2024 |- | "Dean Martin” (At Home) || * Released 2024 |- | "Simple Love” (At Home) || * Released 2025 |- | "Not In the Mood” (At Home) || * Released 2025 |}
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q15617750|commons=Category:Tess Henley|s=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|wikt=no|n=no|q=no}} *{{Official website|http://tesshenley.com/}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Henley, Tess}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Singers from Washington (state) Category:American soul singers Category:People from Kent, Washington Category:University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences alumni Category:21st-century American singers