henry butler

Biography

Henry Butler was born blind in 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up in the Calliope housing projects. He began playing piano at age six and quickly demonstrated prodigious talent, joining the glee club at the Louisiana School for the Blind by age seven and performing professionally by age fourteen[1][2][3]. Butler's early musical education included not only piano but also baritone saxophone, valve trombone, and drums, and he became adept at arranging music for various ensembles[2].

After high school, Butler attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, majoring in voice due to the scarcity of braille scores for piano. There, he came under the mentorship of jazz clarinetist Alvin Batiste, who instilled in him the importance of improvisation and exposed him to a wide spectrum of musical traditions. Butler later earned a master's degree from Michigan State University and studied with renowned pianists Harold Mabern and Roland Hanna[2]. Returning to New Orleans in 1974, Butler immersed himself in the city's vibrant club scene, learning directly from legendary pianists like Professor Longhair and James Booker, and teaching at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts[1][2].

Butler's career spanned jazz, blues, R&B, and classical music, earning him acclaim as one of the greatest living New Orleans pianists and a modern link in the city's storied piano tradition[2][3]. He recorded his first album as a leader, "Fivin' Around," in 1986, collaborating with top jazz musicians such as Billy Higgins, Jack DeJohnette, and Ron Carter[2]. Butler performed internationally and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival over three dozen times, blending influences from Caribbean, classical, pop, and world music into his expressive style. Despite losing his home to Hurricane Katrina, Butler continued to perform, teach, and inspire until his death in 2018[2][3].

Fun Facts

• Henry Butler was an accomplished photographer despite being blind since infancy.
• He performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival over three dozen times, with his first appearance in 1976 and his last in 2018.
• Butler worked as a talent development consultant for Motown Records and the Stevie Wonder organization during his time in Los Angeles.
• He lost his home in New Orleans to Hurricane Katrina and subsequently lived in Boulder, Denver, and Brooklyn.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Alvin Batiste - Butler's most formative teacher at Southern University, taught him improvisation and exposed him to diverse musical traditions. (Guided Butler's early jazz development; arranged NEA grant for study with George Duke.) [Late 1960s–early 1970s]
• Professor Longhair - Butler received direct lessons in New Orleans piano techniques, learning shuffle patterns and trills. (Intensive living room lessons; influence on Butler's blues and R&B style.) [1970s]
• Harold Mabern - Summer studies in jazz piano and composition. (Advanced jazz technique and improvisation.) [1970s]
• Roland Hanna - Summer studies in jazz piano and composition. (Advanced jazz technique and improvisation.) [1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Charlie Haden - Bassist who facilitated Butler's first recording as a leader. ("Fivin' Around" (1986)) [1986]
• Billy Higgins - Drummer on Butler's debut album. ("Fivin' Around" (1986)) [1986]
• Jack DeJohnette - Drummer on Butler's second album. ("The Village" (1987)) [1987]
• Ron Carter - Bassist on Butler's second album. ("The Village" (1987)) [1987]
• James Booker - Fellow New Orleans pianist; Butler absorbed Booker's techniques and repertoire. (Live performances and club collaborations.) [1970s–1980s]

Artists Influenced

• Jon Cleary - British-born New Orleans pianist who cites Butler as a major influence on his approach to New Orleans piano. (Cleary's solo albums and live performances.) [1990s–present]
• Students at New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts - Butler taught both piano and voice, mentoring a generation of New Orleans musicians. (Various alumni projects.) [1970s–1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Basin St. Blues (PiaNOLA Live)
2. Mama Roux (Treme: Music From The HBO Original Series - Season 2)
3. Why Don't You Live So God Can Use You? (Vu-Du Menz)
4. Jump to the Music (Homeland)
5. Au Bord de l'eau
6. L'espirit De James
7. Let 'Em Roll (Vu-Du Menz)
8. Some Iko (Homeland)
9. Running Around
10. Henry's Boogie (Homeland)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia