Henry J.

Henry J hails from a family of musical prodigies. By age nine he was the drummer in his family rock band and performed at talent shows and local fairs. Raised in Marin County, California—a breeding ground for musicians such as Jefferson Airplane, Journey, Santana, and Metallica, Henry studied music with professionals beginning with drum lessons from a former drummer of Van Morrison and guitar with Jason Becker & Marty Friedman of Cacophony (David Lee Roth and Megadeth). By his early teens Henry started his own speed metal band and hit the Bay Area club circuit. Over the course of the next few years he moved south and continued to hone his guitar skills in recording studios and while playing in rock and pop bands in Los Angeles and abroad.After hearing a John Schofield CD, Henry was inspired to study jazz, blues and fusion music. Old school funk, R&B, and the guitar stylings of Pat Metheny and Pat Martino were also important influences. Currently, Henry freelances as sideman for R&B solo artist Misha’el; hiphop/funk group Ill Funk Nation; hiphop rapper Kaleo Futuristo; hiphop metal artist Chucky Preston; and also heads the instrumental fusion act RoughJazz as lead instrument, to name a few. Henry's busy schedule continues with various projects. He is always performing live in Los Angeles or touring nationally and overseas and is usually in some form of production in the studio. Henry is also very active with guitar clinics, trade shows, and available for regional and international tours.