The Great Henry Butler, New Orleans Pianist Dies at 69…

The Jazz Foundation is mourning the loss of one of our dear friends and musicians, Henry Butler.

Henry hailed from New Orleans, sightless since infancy.  Self-taught, he had been playing piano professionally since the age of 12.  He continued to tour and play regularly, most recently at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and at our very own Jazz Foundation Gig Fund show just two weeks ago. Diagnosed with cancer more than a year ago, he had been living in Brooklyn with tour dates scheduled in France and Vienna later this month.

Here is a clip of Henry playing “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” at our 2009 Benefit Gala “A Great Night in Harlem”.