Henry Gray Residency

Baton Rouge’s own Henry Gray is a living legend in every sense of the phrase. Over the course seven decades behind the piano, Gray has performed with some of the greatest blues players ever to walk the face of the planet, guys like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter to name just a few.

Gray’s story follows a similar arc to that of fellow native son Buddy Guy. He was raised in Alsen, LA, and migrated north to pursue a career in music, but only after what was probably the longest single gig of his life, a three year engagement with the United States Army in the South Pacific during WWII. Gray often entertained his fellow soldiers overseas while in service, and shortly after being discharged, he relocated to the same city where Guy eventually earned his stripes, quickly immersing himself in the burgeoning Chicago blues scene. The rest is history. Gray returned to his roots here in BR in 1968 and has been a very local fixture of Louisiana’s deep-seated musical heritage ever since.

Gray and his band kick off a month of Wednesdays at Mud & Water this week, which is a real treat for anyone who can appreciate the considerable role he has played in weaving the cultural fabric of this, the most musical state in the union. This is a rare chance to see a living, breathing monument to blues music do what he does best, and to see it in an intimate performance space for only $6. Most of the people I know have at least 6 dollars and one Wednesday night free per month, so really, there are no good excuses to not make it out for at least one of these.

Henry Gray, 9 p.m. each Wednesday in April @ Mud & Water, 174 South Street. Purchase tickets here.