…He has rocked stages across the US from the Essence Music Festival in New … Read Full Bio ↴…He has rocked stages across the US from the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans to The Legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, USA. He has shared stages with the likes of the legendary Twinkie Clarke, Soul Singer Tony Terry and Master comedian Rodney Perry. He IS the Smooth Jazz Phenomenon. He IS the one, J. Henry and this is his story…

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".

Say Yes
J. Henry Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My baby thinks she should Just Say No
I hear her say, "Stop," not "Go"
I don't want to block the flow
Crack that whip, don't say "Whoa"

Yes, I said yes, tell me yes is the word
Yes three times. Yes, yes, yes
Yes tell me yes is what I heard

Yes I said yes five times
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes

Maybe won't make it, be affirmative
Positive is how I live
One syllable, no excess
Three letters, Y-E-S

Yes, I said yes, tell me yes is the word
Yes three times. Yes, yes, yes
Yes tell me yes is what I heard
Yes I said yes five times
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes

I don't wanna know this word "No"
I want to take you high, not low
Tell me that you love me head to toe
Come on let's move fast, not slow

Yes, I said yes, tell me yes is the word
Yes three times. Yes, yes, yes
Yes tell me yes is what I heard
Yes I said yes five times
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes

Overall Meaning

In J. Henry's song "Say Yes," the lyrics explore the theme of affirmation and positivity in a relationship. The first paragraph introduces the idea of the singer's partner wanting to say no or stop, but the singer encourages them to embrace the flow and not hold back. The line "Crack that whip, don't say 'Whoa'" suggests a desire for excitement and to keep moving forward without hesitation.

The second paragraph emphasizes the importance of the word "yes" in the singer's relationship. By repeating it three times, the singer highlights the significance of their partner's affirmation. The line "Yes tell me yes is what I heard" suggests that the singer values clear and direct communication, and hearing the word "yes" brings them joy and reassurance. The repetition of "yes" five times further emphasizes their desire for affirmation.

In the third paragraph, the lyrics delve into the idea of being affirmative and positive in life. The singer expresses their preference for being optimistic and living with a positive mindset. The line "One syllable, no excess; Three letters, Y-E-S" suggests that simplicity and directness are key, and that the word "yes" encapsulates this mindset. By repeating it three times, the lyrics highlight the power and importance of affirmation.

The final paragraph focuses on the singer's desire to avoid negativity in their relationship. They express a longing to keep things moving forward and to experience a love that is all-encompassing. The line "Tell me that you love me head to toe" suggests a desire for wholehearted affection. The repetition of "yes" at the end further emphasizes the singer's need for positive affirmation in their relationship. It is clear that the singer wants their partner to embrace their love and willingly say yes to everything they have to offer.

Overall, the lyrics of "Say Yes" convey a message of positivity and a longing for affirmation in a relationship. The repetition of the word "yes" emphasizes the power of affirmation and the singer's desire for a positive and optimistic connection with their partner.

Line by Line Meaning

My baby thinks she should Just Say No
My significant other believes in rejecting opportunities

I hear her say, "Stop," not "Go"
She expresses hesitation instead of embracing new experiences

I don't want to block the flow
I don't want to hinder the natural progression

Crack that whip, don't say "Whoa"
Push forward without holding back

Yes, I said yes, tell me yes is the word
I affirmatively agree, confirming that 'yes' is the answer

Yes three times. Yes, yes, yes
Consistently affirming my consent three times

Yes tell me yes is what I heard
I have received confirmation that 'yes' is the response

Yes I said yes five times
I have emphatically and repeatedly agreed five times

Maybe won't make it, be affirmative
Uncertainty won't lead to success, choose to be positive

Positive is how I live
I choose to approach life with optimism

One syllable, no excess
A brief and concise response, no need for unnecessary elaboration