There are more than a few Blues historians who pinpoint Henry Gray as the number one creator of what has become Chicago Blues piano. Most any riff or turnaround that shouts "Chicago!" when you hear it very probably originated with Gray. He has played with true giants and became a true giant.
Henry Gray was born in 1925 in Louisiana and raised on a farm. Fortunately there was a woman living nearby who could teach piano and Gray started learning at age 8. He credits her, the radio and his parents' records as fostering his great love of music. Though parents didn't want him playing Blues, his teacher allowed it when he was at her house. By age 16 he was playing Blues in local clubs. The amount of money Gray was soon making reduced his parents' concerns.
After serving in the South Pacific during World War II, Gray moved to Chicago in 1946 where he worked with many different bands and artists including Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. There were other top artsist on his resume, but aren't those three recommendation enough?
In 1968, Henry Gray decided he missed his Louisiana home and moved back south, partly due to the passing of his father and his mother's need of help running the family fish market. He also worked as a roofer to help support the family, but you can't keep a great piano man down and for 30 years he has been a regular at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The Chicago Blues Festival and a number of others. He continues working and delighting today.
Henry Gray's two fisted piano playing was influenced by his friendship with Detroit Jazz and Blues pianist Big Maceo Merriweather. He can either drive a band or replace the whole band. And if he weren't such a top and innovative pianist, his singing would warrant special notice in the Blues world.
