Henry Butler, born September 21, 1949 and died July 2, 2018, was an American jazz pianist. His technique and ability to play many types of music made him a well-known jazz pianist. Jon Pareles, a New York Times music critic, wrote in 1987 that Butler “revelled in fluency, facility, splashing chords across the keyboard and streaking though solos with machine gun articulation.” Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune arts critic, described Butler in 1998 as an “extraordinary intellect matched with unusual physical strength.” Dr. John called Butler “the pride and joy of New Orleans.” He was the representative of his generation in the Crescent City’s piano player lineage, which included James Booker, Professor Longhair, Tuts Washington, Tuts Washington, Jelly Roll Morton, and Tuts Washington. Butler was a recording artist for many record labels including Impulse Records, Windham Hill Records, and Basin Street Records. Infancy, Butler was blinded from glaucoma. He began his musical training at the Louisiana State School for the Blind. There he learned how to play the baritone and valve trombones, as well as drums. After that, he focused on singing and piano. Alvin Batiste, clarinetist, and educator, mentored Butler at Southern University in Baton Rouge. In 1974, Butler earned a master’s in music from Michigan State University. He was awarded the MSU Distinguished Alumni Award. Butler’s 1925 vintage Masonic Mason from the Gentilly area of New Orleans was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. His 1925 Masonic vintage
