J. Henry hails from the Jazz Capital of the World, New Orleans, Louisiana. This Crescent City native has been dazzling audiences across the U.S. for the last 20 years. His gift for music was recognized early at age 7, and at 9 years old he was given the opportunity to learn to play any instrument of his choosing and he found his love for music in the saxophone. His uncle, New Orleans Jazz Legend Pierre Porree, gave him his very first and J. continued to study under his mentorship and under another New Orleans Jazz Legend, Brian Graber.
“I would sit on the front porch for hours a day making noise. Eventually that noise became songs”
After practicing 4 to 5 hours a day, month after month, J. felt he was ready to perform his first solo at his church playing “When The Saints Go Marching In”. With the energy and confidence that he performs with today, you would have never guessed that as a child he was stage fright. By the age of 13 he began playing for different churches, and by the age of 16 was playing professionally. At age 17, J. and his twin brother Cardell started a singing group named Cri’stal. The group was very successful in New Orleans winning numerous talent competitions in and around the city. Yet the greatest accomplishment for J. was fulfilling his childhood dream of performing on “Showtime at the Apollo”, where he and the group won unanimously.
“…You never go through anything for yourself in life…”
In 2005, tragedy struck New Orleans in the form of Hurricane Katrina. Upon returning to his hometown J. was faced with 6ft of water in his home and total loss. J. moved to Atlanta, GA with nothing but 1 shirt, 2 pairs of pants, two pairs of socks and his saxophones. Like so many others from the Crescent City, he had to start all over. While in Atlanta trials and tribulations struck again and again as he became homeless and lost everything three times. He even recalls working as a maintenance man in an apartment community, sleeping at his job in the clubhouse and having to sneak in late at night and get up before anyone came to work. The only person who knew the severity of his living conditions was his soon to be wife, who stayed by his side. Through every challenge, J. never lost his faith or his focus. He struggled through 2006, yet still worked hard at pursuing his dreams, continuing to make a name for himself. He would continue to expand and perfect his signature sound by playing with different bands and for different organizations in and around Atlanta. His faith and perseverance kept him going and eventually helped him become stable.
In the summer of 2008 while rehearsing for a show he met Daron Steward (cousin of Sly Stone) who gave him the name “J. Henry“, and whom he had great chemistry with. A month later he began working on his debut album. During the process of recording the album he faced many challenges, but worked through them. After almost 2 years of writing and production, J. Henry released his appropriately entitled debut album, “Long Time Coming” in August of 2010.
J. Henry is determined to be a driving force to bringing Smooth Jazz back to prominence. In 21 year, he has rocked stages with Bishop Paul S. Morton, P.J. Morton, Angie Stone, Tony Terry, Rodney Perry, Destiny’s Child, Don D.C. Curry, Twinkie Clark, Eric Benet, Marvin Sapp, Jai Reed, Kevon Edmonds, Craig Adams and Ron Laster. His live performances are superb and mesmerizingly interactive. The high levels of energy and emotion that J. packs into every performance, draws audiences into his incredible story of love, trial and triumph. The J. Henry Experience has been quoted as being “the return to the original live music experience.” With the release of LONG TIME COMING, there has been a resurgence of the live music experience and a major shot in the arm for Smooth Jazz worldwide. The album has been incredibly well received especially in Europe and Africa. When it comes to his music and the effect that J. Henry is having on Smooth Jazz overall, Rod Lucas of Lucas Media in the UK summed it up in one word, "Fantastic".
Is This Love
J. Henry Lyrics
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There's no use denying,
I've heard you on the phone
I've even followed you to all the places were you've secertly have been alone
I even know about the times when you would say to me that you was overwhelmed with work,
You had to stay longer working overtime,
Baby I might be dumb but I'am not blind
At times I feel like I want to break down inside
I got to find a way out 'cause this is tearing me to pieces, I just want to make it right
Is this what you call love explain to me baby, Is this really what you want from me
(Is this what you want from me)
I'am losing my patience, just hear what I'am saying You don't want to break the family
(Don't break this family)
Is this what you call love
Then you got it all wrong
This isn't the way our lives should be
I just won't allow somebody to become between us
Is this what you call love
Is this what you call love
You come home late at night,
Pretending it's alright, acting like you're doing nothing wrong, As you lay down right
Beside me, inside I'am dying
You just don't understand the pain that you have put me through (just don't understand)
After all the thing I have ever done for you, sometimes I rather be alone
Than have a broken home
Whatever happened to forever, 'cause I still want to know, explain to me you change of heart
Is this what you call love
These lyrics are from J. Henry's song "Is This Love". The song talks about the importance of looking towards the future rather than getting stuck in meaningless friendships or obligations. The lyrics say that we should listen to our own music by unplugging our ears and not miss out on opportunities to make our dreams come true. The singer encourages us to not make mistakes in our choices and to strive for more laughter and glory. The lyrics also challenge us to not give up easily and to make sure that we don't become losers. The singer emphasizes the importance of putting in the effort to earn love and to not give up hope.
Line by Line Meaning
大切なことは
The most important thing is
「今」より「未来」なんだ
what lies ahead of us in the future, not what we have in the present.
無意味な友情
Friendship that is meaningless
続ける義務なんてない
There is no obligation to continue it
耳の穴かっぽじって
Unblock your ears
俺たちの音を聴け
and listen to our music
What's your dream?
What are your aspirations?
叶えるために選択をミスるな
Don't make the wrong choices on your path to achieving that dream
歓声を栄光を
Cheer and glory
baby gimmie some more
give me more of it, baby
gimmie some more!
give me even more!
オレは諦めるようなヘマはしない!
I won't make the same mistake of giving up again!
Love is Overdrive
Love is a powerful force
負け犬にはならない
I won't be a loser
Love is Overdrive
Love is a powerful force
すべてを手に入れてやる
I will get everything that I want
Love is Overdrive
Love is a powerful force
何かを得るために
To get something
何か捨てるとしたら
If it means we have to give up something
「今」を捨てる
It's the present that we will give up
Lyrics © JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANCISCO BAUTISTA, STEVE VALDEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind