“Commit 100 percent every time and perform with emotional honesty - play to the people, bring them in. Make em feel good!”

Henri Herbert: Get It While It’s Hot

From an early age, Henri Herbert was fascinated by the piano-pounding pioneers Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, and Pete Johnson. Born in France and raised in the UK, Herbert broke onto the music scene as a member of the explosive rock revival band, The Jim Jones Revue. After testing the waters with his own band, The Fury, Herbert made the move to Austin, TX to immerse himself in the rich history of American roots music. He quickly moved up the ranks of professional players and made a name for himself. Now a permanent resident of the U.S., he has become one of the most sought-after blues and boogie pianists in the world and tours extensively around the globe. A video of Henri playing an impromptu blues “Gettin On Down” on the public piano in London’s St Pancras Train Station has reached an incredible 73 million views on YouTube. Henri has sold out the Palais Montcalm in Quebec City, the Blue Note in Hawaii, The 100 Club in London and Nice Opera for the Royal Family of Monaco, showcased at the Cincinnati Blues Fest, the International Jazz Fest Switzerland, and the Milan Piano Fest, and brought down the house in bar rooms and dancehalls including a residency at C-Boy's Heart and Soul in Austin. His passion for capturing the essence of his musical heroes and elevating it to new levels is what makes him stand out above the crowd.

(Henri Herbert / Photo by Sean Murphy)

Henri has released seven independent solo albums: Live at the Gypsy Hotel (2018), Boogie ‘Til I Die (2022), Blues Piano Grooves (2023), Boogie Woogie Blues (2023), Live in New York (2023), Boogie Woogie Piano Vol.1 & 2 (2018/2023). His latest project and first full band LP, “Get It While It’s Hot” (due Nov 7th), brings back the wild spirit and energy of early R&R, R&B, and garage boogie. Get It While It’s Hot is a love letter to the sounds that made Henri. It's a musical snapshot documenting his struggles immigrating to the U.S. in pursuit of his own American dream. Putting the piano back into the forefront of rock and roll, this album is a result of playing countless nights in bars refining a sound – all while navigating the system, a pandemic, and a little heartbreak. The album title is indicative of how fleeting success can be and how important it is to be in the now. Henri’s dream is still in the making, but he’s a little rougher around the edges.

Interview by Michael Limnios             Special Thanks: Pati deVries | devious planet

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

The moment that changed my life the most was March 12, 2019. That's when I moved to Austin, TX and got involved with the local scene there. For me it was a big step moving forward from my life as a dock worker in London to becoming a full time musician - and a major step towards becoming a permanent resident of the USA. Music has always been the thing that pointed me to the right path - whether it was which job to take, where to live, who to hang out with - it's all been dictated by music. I always put the music first and followed where it led. 

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

It's a mix of music I love and my own ideas. I love so much music from different genres - I love rock n roll, blues, boogie woogie, jazz, country, soul, classical music, film soundtracks. It all filters into what I do. Also the environment where I play is important - I might be doing a solo piano concert in a theater, a trio show in a Jazz bar, or these days a rock n roll band in a club with loud drums and guitar. It's all about the audience - exchanging energy with the audience and bringing them in. Get em singing along, dancing and having a good time. The sound is where it's at on the stage at that time, who's playing with me, how the energy is being exchanged. It's a beautiful thing to be a part of.

“Music has always been the thing that pointed me to the right path - whether it was which job to take, where to live, who to hang out with - it's all been dictated by music. I always put the music first and followed where it led.” (Henri Herbert / Photo by Sean Murphy)

Why do you think that New Orleans and Snooks Eaglin’s music legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?

I was in New Orleans last month to make some recordings with Rebirth Brass Band, and some of my first ever bandmates in London are originally from New Orleans. It's a magic place a beautiful city with such a rich culture of music and beautiful energy. We've made the drive from Austin to New Orleans many times and once I cross Lake Charles I can just feel that energy pulling me in - just the list of piano players that came from that city is insane. James Booker, Dr John, Professor Longhair, Fats Domino. It's timeless music that moves everyone. Snooks Eaglin writes timeless songs about love and life which are like these portraits of humanity - again, timeless stuff. Beautiful lyrics.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of music?

I don't miss anything from the music of the past - cos I wasn't there when all my favorite stuff came around the first time. Now it's on record forever - we can listen to Elvis, Jerry Lee, Little Richard, Muddy Waters - it's all there. It's not the music of the past - it's timeless music that lasts forever. My hopes for the future is that we will continue to have great artists making great music and that folks will continue to listen.

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!

Getting my album "Get It While It's Hot" finished and out is a highlight for me because we worked on it for so long - we worked the songs during the Covid pandemic for years and then played them live night after night in Austin and elsewhere when the world opened up again, though the actual recording took place very quickly and mostly live. I guess we'd done most of the work before we went into the studio. Just playing in Nebraska the other night at Zoo Bar was a highlight because the band was gelling so well on stage and we had a great vibe and the crowd were into it - we'd driven like 12 or 13 hours to get there and were all tired but we got thru it with adrenaline and passion. What a great experience. Love Zoo Bar, hope to return.

“I don't miss anything from the music of the past - cos I wasn't there when all my favorite stuff came around the first time. Now it's on record forever - we can listen to Elvis, Jerry Lee, Little Richard, Muddy Waters - it's all there. It's not the music of the past - it's timeless music that lasts forever. My hopes for the future is that we will continue to have great artists making great music and that folks will continue to listen.” (Henri Herbert / Photo by Sean Murphy)

What were the reasons that made the UK to be the center of Blues/Rock n Roll researches and experiments, since the 1960?

Man, that's a great question. I mean, in the years after WW2 there was a tradition of British jazz band leaders like Humphrey Littleton and Kenny Ball, great piano players like Johnny Parker. These were the first British musicians to play with Muddy Waters and Otis Spann - they brought them over to the UK in the 1950s to play. The only way for British folks to hear that stuff was live, on the radio, or on records. Maybe it was the USA and British soldiers mingling during WW2 that led to the first American blues records coming over to the UK. That jazz scene led to the early days of the British Blues scene with guys like Alexis Korner, Cyril Davis - which ultimately led the way to the explosion in the mid to late 60s..John Mayall, Stones, Clapton etc. Then of course you had the Beatles with their great songwriting more grounded in the narrative song styles of Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and even Fats Waller. I guess, the seeds were probably sown with those servicemen in WW2 swapping records maybe. I don't know. There was always a tradition in the UK of pubs, clubs and traditional working mens' clubs. This was a great environment for musicians - even three radically different acts like Alvin Lee, Tom Jones, Hendrix to get out and tour - there was like an environment there that was ready and welcome for new sounds.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Once you feel comfortable, your journey is over. Keep pushing, keep growing. Some of my most rewarding musical memories come from the days when I was working 14 hour dock shifts in Harwich.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

Commit 100 percent every time and perform with emotional honesty - play to the people, bring them in. Make em feel good!

Henri Herbert - Home

(Henri Herbert / Photo by Sean Murphy)