Henry Gray, a Blues Hall of fame inductee and Grammy Award nominee passed away at 95 on Feb. 17. His great-grandson announced on social media: “It is with great sadness that I formally announce that my Great Grandfather Henry Gray has transitioned. My family and I appreciate every prayer, every donation, every smile, and every word of encouragement that you have given throughout his more than 70-year career. I will post the funeral arrangements as soon as we make them. Thank you all.”
A Louisiana resident, Gray got his start playing in blues clubs in Alsen, LA. at age 16, and his experience playing these clubs enabled him to pursue a music career in full when he moved to Chicago after fighting in WWII in the Pacific front. Gray has had a prolific career playing alongside other legends such as Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, and many others.
Gray worked with so many artists during the height of Chicago Blues’ popularity, that his piano stylings can be heard in virtually every record coming out of the late ’40s to ’60s. Gray recorded for several record labels, including Chess Records in Chicago, APO, Telarc Blues, Bluebeat, Hightone, Wolf, Blind Pig, and Lucky Cat, which were the biggest labels of the height of the blues era.
Gray’s later career saw him return to his Louisiana home, playing in virtually every blues festival in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge area, and his sound became synonymous with “swamp blues” that the area is known for. His work with Whispering Smith is widely regarded as some of the last great 45 RPM blues records to ever be produced.
Gray also routinely brought his bayou boogie to Europe. “Everywhere I go over there, they love the blues,” Gray said. Gray’s last album, “92” was recorded in 2017 and was aptly named after Gray’s age at the time. Despite his age, Gray continued to play at blues clubs in New Orleans and Baton Rouge until his death. “I’m going to stay playing my piano,” Gray vowed. “I got to take care of my own business.”
