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".
Our Secret
J. Henry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me
Believe me, only follow me)
遠くにいかないで
僕の存在が君に一番 安全な場所になるから
がむしゃらな景色は
Became more complete
Completed
迷いなど蹴り上げ 走り抜いてきた
今戦う事に恐れはないさ
For you, I feel I can fly
もし世界が嘘ついても僕が変える
いつもここにいるよ 信じて
この腕の中瞳閉じて
見たくないものから守るから
お願いがあるんだ
君の望みを教えてよ 叶えてあげたい全てを
隠した傷跡 僕だけに見せて 大丈夫
It's our secret
Secret
変わりゆく時代を 追い抜いてきた
罠だらけだろうと壁がこようと
For you, I, my love, I'll fly
あの輝く星が汚れてると知っても
進む 君がそこにいるから
今諦めたら僕の意味がなくなる
その手は渡さない
まだ終わらせはしないこの未来が
美しいと証明するまでは
君を埋めてゆく 綺麗なものだけで
I break it, go break it, don't stop it
そして 僕の名を呼んで
もし 記憶が孤独を彷徨っても 連れ出す 光へ
(Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me
Believe me, only follow me) その先へ
もし世界が嘘ついても僕が変える
いつもここにいるよ 信じて
この腕の中瞳閉じて
見たくないものから守るから
(Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me
Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me)
The lyrics of J. Henry's song "Our Secret" convey a message of unwavering love, protection, and the willingness to overcome any challenges for the sake of a cherished person. The opening lines, "Believe me, only follow me / Trust in me, only be with me," suggest a deep level of trust and unity between the singer and the listener. They assure the listener that even if their memories are filled with loneliness, they will guide them towards a brighter future.
The lyrics highlight the importance of the singer's presence in the listener's life as a safe haven. They convey the idea that the singer's existence is the listener's most secure place. The line "The reckless scenery became more complete because you became the rule" implies that the singer's life gains purpose and fulfillment through their connection with the listener.
The lyrics also express the determination and fearlessness to face any obstacles for the sake of the listener. The lines "I have no fear of fighting now / For you, I feel I can fly" convey an unwavering commitment to protecting and supporting the listener. The singer declares that even if the world deceives them, they will bring about a change and always be there for the listener.
The song emphasizes the secrecy and intimacy of their bond. The lines "I have a request / Tell me your wish; I want to fulfill everything for you / Show me the hidden scars that only I can see, it's okay / It's our secret" reflect a desire to understand and fulfill the listener's desires and offer support for their vulnerabilities. The lyrics in this section evoke trust and the willingness to protect each other from things they do not wish to see.
The final verses of the song portray a determination to overcome the challenges of time and maintain a beautiful future together. The lines "I won't let this future end yet / Until I prove that it is beautiful / I will fill you with only beautiful things" demonstrate a dedication to continuously cherishing the listener and striving for a bright future in their relationship. The repeated emphasis on the bond between the singer and the listener in the final lines reinforces the message of trust, devotion, and unity.
Line by Line Meaning
もし 記憶が孤独を彷徨っても 連れ出す 光へ
Even if memories wander in loneliness, I will lead them towards the light.
遠くにいかないで
Don't go far away.
僕の存在が君に一番 安全な場所になるから
Because my presence will become the safest place for you.
がむしゃらな景色は
These reckless scenery
君がルールになる事で
Became more complete through you becoming the rule.
迷いなど蹴り上げ 走り抜いてきた
Kicking away doubts, I have run through.
今戦う事に恐れはないさ
Now I have no fear of fighting.
For you, I feel I can fly
For you, I feel like I can fly.
もし世界が嘘ついても僕が変える
Even if the world lies, I will change it.
いつもここにいるよ 信じて
I will always be here, trust me.
この腕の中瞳閉じて
Close your eyes in these arms.
見たくないものから守るから
Because I will protect you from things you don't want to see.
お願いがあるんだ
I have a favor to ask.
君の望みを教えてよ 叶えてあげたい全てを
Tell me your wishes, I want to fulfill everything for you.
隠した傷跡 僕だけに見せて 大丈夫
Show me the hidden scars, only to me, it's alright.
It's our secret
It's our secret.
変わりゆく時代を 追い抜いてきた
I have surpassed the changing times.
罠だらけだろうと壁がこようと
Even if it's full of traps, even if walls come.
For you, I, my love, I'll fly
For you, I, my love, I'll fly.
あの輝く星が汚れてると知っても
Even if I know that shining star is tainted.
進む 君がそこにいるから
I move forward because you are there.
今諦めたら僕の意味がなくなる
If I give up now, my purpose will be lost.
その手は渡さない
I won't let go of that hand.
まだ終わらせはしないこの未来が
This future is not yet over.
美しいと証明するまでは
Until I prove that it's beautiful.
君を埋めてゆく 綺麗なものだけで
I will fill you with only beautiful things.
I break it, go break it, don't stop it
I break it, go break it, don't stop it.
そして 僕の名を呼んで
And call my name.
もし 記憶が孤独を彷徨っても 連れ出す 光へ
Even if memories wander in loneliness, I will lead them towards the light.
(Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me
Believe me, only follow me)
(Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me
Believe me, only follow me)
その先へ
To what lies ahead.
もし世界が嘘ついても僕が変える
Even if the world lies, I will change it.
いつもここにいるよ 信じて
I will always be here, trust me.
この腕の中瞳閉じて
Close your eyes in these arms.
見たくないものから守るから
Because I will protect you from things you don't want to see.
(Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me
Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me)
(Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me
Believe me, only follow me
Trust in me, only be with me)
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Mika Nakajima, Angus Costanza, Fast Lane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sherry B Finley
I love the music of these.
Cheyanne Snider
Just plain perfect..
G H
So talented
Mary Hawkins
That was way too cool
Rachelle Stanton
F**king Awesome dude! You Rock!!
MrSimba27
Very nice.
Susana Hays
Good Luck to you for sharing this
Brittani Turner
Awesome video
Top Gadget Reviews
High Quality
Stacy Thompson
Good Job on creating these video