Henry Spencer in concert at 38Riv Jazz Club
Contemporary Jazz — Back in France, acclaimed trumpeter Henry Spencer presents his latest masterpiece, "The Defector," following a triumphant international tour.
38Riv Jazz Club (Paris 4th)
About
Henry Spencer returns to France as part of his European tour.
Henry Spencer presented his latest album, The Defector ("A masterpiece" – Jazz in Europe), following several international tours, television and radio broadcasts, as well as a growing worldwide audience. For his previous productions, he worked in New York with multi-GRAMMY Award winner Dave Darlington, whose collaborations include Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter. His albums have received enthusiastic international critical acclaim:
"Spencer is one of the great talents of the British jazz scene, and is enjoying increasing recognition. Listen to the genius of Spencer." – InMusic (DE)
"A contender for album of the year." – All About Jazz
For The Defector, Henry Spencer collaborated with Jon Kelly (whose credits include Michael Jackson, Kate Bush, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Richard Ashcroft), co-producer Paul Whalley (multi-platinum producer, regularly collaborating with top international artists), and composer George Stevenson (who has been commissioned by, among others, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra).
"Dazzling" – The Guardian & The Observer
"Expansive music that demands a setting to match: major festival stages and theaters are beckoning." – Jazzwise
"New heights. With The Defector, he gets very close to the summit here. The result, in a word, is intense." – All About Jazz
Henry Spencer's unique and deeply personal approach gives his music a rare and striking strength, capable of both deeply touching the listener and making them vibrate.
He explains:
"I am interested above all in music driven by sincere emotional intention, which speaks of authentic experiences. I want to draw the listener into the music, so they can engage with it and connect it to their own personal experience, with an emotional clarity as strong as if the music had lyrics. It's a way of freeing oneself, of letting things out."
Line-up: Henry Spencer: trumpet, composition; Ant Law: guitar; Matt Robinson: piano, keyboard; David Hamblett: drums.
The 38Riv Jazz Club is an intimate venue in the heart of the Marais (38 rue de Rivoli, Paris 4th), dedicated to jazz and improvised music.
Our take on this event
Lose yourself in the magnetic atmosphere of an underground jazz haunt, where Henry Spencer brings his evocative trumpet melodies to life. His performance offers a powerful and deeply personal soundscape, perfect for anyone seeking an intimate escape into truly world-class musicianship.
Trumpeter and composer Henry Spencer brings his evocative jazz to the 38Riv Jazz Club on Thursday, December 10, 2026. Featuring tracks from his acclaimed album The Defector, the performance showcases Spencer's ability to blend intense emotional depth with technical mastery alongside his quartet, including Ant Law on guitar, Matt Robinson on keys, and David Hamblett on drums. The evening offers two distinct sets, from 19:30 to 20:30 and 21:30 to 22:30. Set in the intimate atmosphere of this Marais venue, tickets are available, with early online booking recommended for a reduced price between 24€ and 27€.
Henry Spencer returns to France as part of his European tour, landing at the 38Riv Jazz Club in the 4th arrondissement on December 10, 2026. Known for his collaborative approach with Grammy-winning engineers and world-class producers, Spencer presents a sound defined by raw sincerity and structural sophistication. This concert is an opportunity to experience his latest work, The Defector, live in an up-close setting.
The ensemble features Henry Spencer on trumpet, Ant Law on guitar, Matt Robinson on piano and keyboards, and David Hamblett on drums. Two identical sessions are scheduled: the first at 19:30 and the second at 21:30. Each set lasts one hour, allowing for an immersive dive into the band's improvisational landscape.
Tickets can be purchased online at a rate ranging from 24€ to 27€. For those purchasing at the door, prices range from 27€ to 30€. Given the intimate size of the 38Riv Jazz Club, booking in advance is advised to secure your spot for this performance.
