Henry Gray, the pianist born in Louisiana in 1925, is one of the last Blues’ living legends and, as it could not be any other way, he will receive the 2016 Hondarribia Blues award in recognition of a lifetime dedicated to the Blues.
For this special occasion, the Festival has gathered an authentic luxury band with: Junior Watson, Fred Kaplan and Bob Corritore.
Gray started to play the piano with 8 years and after take part as a musician in the local church, soon began dating his first concerts.
Then had to go to Second World War. When he returned, Henry moved to Chicago where he could play as a studio musician at Chess Records for all Chicago Blues greats.
In 1968 he returned to Lousiana where stayed, definitely, until today.
During the last 70 years, Henry Gray has been able to accompany artists of the likes of the Muddy Waters, Howlin 'Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold and even the Rolling Stones with his piano.
Henry Gray receive the “Txapela”, the Blues Hondarribia Award, on Saturday 16 July.