ON the cabaret circuit, the name Georgia Henry is a staple. For the past 38 years, she has made stages across the country her own with her signature brand of performances.

Although she is best known on the hotel circuit, particularly Negril, Henry got her start in Kingston. It was an audition for lead singer in a band at Club Bohemia which launched her career as an entertainer.

“My mother was not pleased. You know how parents can get when they want their children to take up a profession such as nurse, teacher or lawyer, but this was my passion and I was determined to follow my heart. From very early I recognised the impact that performing had on both me as the performer and my audience, and I always loved the experience,” Henry told the Jamaica Observer.

An alliance with singer/engineer Ruddy Thomas saw Henry venturing west to Negril in the late 1970s. That started what became a long affiliation with the resort town.

“Ruddy would take down a lot of the old-school artistes to perform in Negril every Thursday and I would go along for performances at places like Kaiser’s Cafe and Alfred’s Ocean Palace. One week while I was there, I heard that the Mighty Titans band was fascinated by my set and wanted me to perform with them. I did one night and that night changed everything. I started going to Negril more and then came shows in the hotels. I have become extremely popular there and I still go back after 36 years,” said Henry.

With nearly four decades of experience, Henry is proud of her work and has no plans to retire. However, she yearns for commercial success.

“Anybody who hires Georgia Henry knows that they are getting value for money and satisfaction is guaranteed. But I really would have wanted to hear my music played on radio. I am not giving up as I have done a lot of recordings and have unreleased material so I just want to find the right person who can help me with this aspect of my career. I believe it will happen for me one day.”

— Richard Johnson