Henri Herbert

Get It While It’s Hot

HH Records

Henri Herbert is a pianist, songwriter, bandleader, and recording artist whose music encompasses boogie-woogie, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll. Born in Harfleur, France, Henri grew up in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, England, and studied blues and boogie piano from a young age. He tours all over the world and has been described as one of the most sought-after contemporary blues and boogie-woogie pianists. In addition to performing as a soloist, he has worked with Bryan Adams, Isabella Summers, Jim Sclavunos, and Slim Jim Phantom.

From 2011 through 2014, Henri was the keyboardist for the UK band The Jim Jones Revue. During that time, he appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, and his original compositions began to rack up impressive online numbers. In 2013, his original song “Henri’s Boogie” went viral on YouTube, earning more than 27 million views. Another video, featuring his tune “Gettin’ On Down,” has surpassed 50 million plays. Henri currently resides in Austin, Texas, where he performs and records regularly while continuing to tour Europe.

His latest album, Get It While It’s Hot, was produced by Henri, who also performs piano and vocals. The ensemble includes guitarists Tjarko Jeen, Austin John, and Jim Jones; bassists Josh Williams and Luca Chiappara; and drummers Dino Malo and Jerry Pentecost. The album was recorded at Alnico Studios in Austin and The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, mixed by Jim Jones in London, and mastered by Chris Franco in Nashville. All songs were co-written by Henri and Kevin Smith, except one written with Nick Jones and Lucas Itié. The collection also includes two carefully chosen covers.

The lead-off single, “Cold City,” recounts the struggles Henri faced during his long and difficult immigration journey to the United States. A former London dockworker, he survived the global pandemic and became an internet sensation, selling out venues worldwide—including the Nice Opera for the Prince of Monaco, the Blue Note in Hawaii, and a residency at Austin’s legendary C-Boy’s Heart & Soul. Henri says, “Cold cities have been everywhere on my journey… it’s not a pessimistic song but about keeping on during hard times, about self-reliance—the hard way.” He sings, “Cold city… cold city blues, yeah, no way for you to shine… when you got no money and you got no friends, nothin’ left to do, nothin’ left to lose.”

On the Motown-inspired “Guilty Pleasures,” Henri captures the essence of mid-century American groove as he shouts, “No such a thing as a guilty pleasure, and it ain’t no crime… guilty pleasure, truth you can’t measure, you just got to work it out.”

“Nothing Free” reflects the ups and downs of the music business—how one can headline big stages one night and wash dishes in the same venue the next. He cries out, “I been told I have to practice, ain’t nothing for free.” In “Bad,” Henri belts, “I’m bad, that’s the only thing I ever had… if I’m bad, I got nothin’ from my dad, I got nothin’ for my birthday… I’m bad.”

“I Got the Fury” and “Texas Boogie” are two more high-energy, roots-rock bangers that showcase Henri’s ferocious piano playing. One standout track, “Bad As Me,” finds him confessing, “Something’s on my mind, I got to find… don’t care what is, but I know you’re just as bad as me. You run around, but know you’re just as bad as me. Don’t matter what you say, I know you’re just as bad as me.”

On “Blood From a Stone,” Henri moans, “Can’t change your mind, I’m dead in the water, can’t get blood from a stone… can’t you please leave me alone, ’cause I can’t get blood from a stone.” The first cover, “Fire,” originally written and performed by Jimi Hendrix, is reimagined through the lens of Jerry Lee Lewis and ’70s punk energy. Henri growls, “I know you don’t care for me, I don’t care about that, let me stand next to your fire… I just have one burnin’ desire, let me stand next to your fire.”

“Poison” follows, with Henri bursting out, “It took just one look, she’s poison, what I’d say… she’s poison… in my way, she’s poison what I’d say.” The other cover, “If I Could,” about unrequited love, was originally written and performed by Snooks Eaglin. Henri croons, “If I could hold your hand, I could be your lovin’ man. If I could just hold your hand… if I could get your lovin’, yes I would. If I could hold your hand, I would be your lovin’ man.” The album closes with “Talkin’ Trash,” where Henri playfully sings, “I care that I be more than talkin’ trash, I care about you talkin’ trash… I don’t care about people talkin’ trash, ’cause I’m your baby, I don’t care about people talkin’ trash.”

Even though Henri Herbert has earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest boogie-woogie pianists—carrying the torch for greats like Albert Ammons, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis—he doesn’t claim the crown. Instead, he sees himself as a vessel for the music. Get It While It’s Hot not only honors the tradition but pushes it forward with unstoppable energy. After successful tours of the UK, Europe, the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Australia, Henri Herbert is proving himself to be one of the most exciting artists to watch.

Richard Ludmerer

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