Henri's Notions
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
Music
Press
"One of the best American Celtic Bands I have heard in a long, long time!"
- Brian McNeill
“… … I have heard and dealt with many Celtic bands over the years - none with such delight as with Henri’s Notions! The Notions brought a unique Appalachian spin
to our Festival complete with a southern drawl … and fit in extremely well with our celebration of Celtic music.... but this is no ordinary band!
Although they live and love the heritage, their Appalachian roots shine through. Before they got toes tapping, they took the time with their first Canadian audience to place their art within the tradition …. their beautifully executed tunes along with Jill Chambless’s superb voice provided a smooth complement to our festival’s traditional Scottish flavour.
They are consummately professional musicians and storytellers, and as equally professional and versatile offstage as they are onstage. They were a total delight to deal with and I can hardly wait to work with them again!”
- Deb Dalziel / Entertainment Coordinator / Fergus Highland Games / Ontario
"For fans of the folk revival style of Planxty and DeDannan, here's a fine group in an unlikely place: Henri's Notions from Alabama. . . . keen melodic sense, good instrumental abilities. . . . great vocals by Jil Chambless. . . large repertoire of both classic celtic as well as original tunes . . . . upbeat and enthusiastic . . .!" - Steve Winick / Dirty Linen Magazine
". . Henri's Notions are a fine tuned American Celtic band well worth lending an ear to! . . " - John O'Regan / Music Critic / Ireland
" I love the Notion's . . . consistent mood and tight sound all the way . . . great vocals . . . good interpretation . . . I truly believe they are the best Celtic band to come out of the south!" - Paddy O'Brien / Green Linnett and Shanachie Recording Artist / All Ireland Champion of the Button Ac
". . solid dance and performance music . . fresh arrangements and a wide variety of material . . I found myself pulled into the music!" - Ryan Thompson / Celtic Beat Magazine
Henri's Notion delivers a powerful, soulful blend of Celtic music that appeals to a wide audience. The instrumentation and musicianship delivered in their music pulls the listener in and leaves them with a sense of belonging to the music and the culture." - Donovan Murray / Production Director / Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
Discography
Don't Waste Your Wishes (out of print)
The Homecoming
Weaver's Life
John O'Dreams
Trip to the Cottage
Photos
Bio
From soft fingerpicked ballads to hard-driving jigs and reels, Henri's Notions creates a musical mix of traditional Celtic and American music as well as their own compositions that have a rhythm and voice reflective of their Southern heritage, which lends a pleasing familiarity to the music. The Notions draw from a broad palette of melodious sounds: the ardent sounds of fiddle, lilting flute, keen tin whistles, ringing mandolin, tenor banjo and bouzouki, and the bounce of the button accordian, all played over the resonant tones and drive of the rhythm section, consisting of acoustic guitars, percussion, bass and now and again - bones.
Lead voices dance through the intricate embellishments that bring to life the old ballads and songs and all members lend voices frequently creatingclose, rich, well-balanced harmonies. The group makes a point to provide backgrounds on the songs and instruments used during their performance and this has allowed Henri's Notions to connect with, educate and inspire audiences for over thirty years!
Henri's Notions has toured extensively in the Southern and Eastern United Stated from West Palm Beach, Florida and Dallas, Texas to New York City. The group has worked countless festivals and concerts and has appeared as the opening act for such folk icons as Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, The Kingston Trio, David Grisman Quintet and top celtic acts such as The Tannahill Weavers, Patrick Street, Paddy O'Brian and others.
Henris Notions performs year-round in concerts, festivals, special events, and school programs. As a touring member of the Alabama State Council on the Arts and Southern Arts Federation, grants are often available to eligible presenters.
HENRI'S NOTIONS SELECTED CLIENT LIST
For the last 20 years or so, the Notions have been privileged to perform in more venues than they could ever remember .... but, here are just a few ....
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In Concert
Monroe Area Council for the Arts, Madisonville, TN
The Ritz Theatre, Talladega, AL
Alexander City Arts, Inc., Alexander City, AL
Dothan Landmarks Foundation, Dothan, AL
Colquitt County Arts Council, Moultrie, GA
Thomaston-Upson Arts Council, Thomaston, GA
Columbus Arts Council, Columbus, MS
College of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City, NC
J. E. Broyhill Civic Center, Lenoir, NC
Arts Center of Cannon County, Woodbury, TN
Bartlett Performing Arts Center, Bartlett, TN
The Renaissance Center, Dickson, TN
Hoover Library Theatre, Hoover, AL
McCraney Cottle Arts Council, Tallassee, AL
Erie-Myer Civic Center, Gulf Shores, AL
Music on the Mound, University of Alabama
City Lights & Stars, Huntsville, AL
Allegheny Highlands Arts Council / Clifton Forge VA
Sumter County Arts Council / AL
The Fort Payne Opera House, Fort Payne, AL
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Festivals
The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, NC
The Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, Ontario, Canada
The Tallahassee Scottish Games and Celtic Fest. (FL)
The Savannah Irish Festival (GA)
The Jacksonville Irish Festival (FL)
The Stone Mountain Highland Games, GA
The Loch Norman Highland Games, NC
The Louisiana Highland Games
The Alabama Highland Games
Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield, KS
First Night, South Orange, NJ
International Music Festival, NYC, NY
Cincinnati Celtic Festival, Cincinnati, OH
North Texas Irish Festival, Dallas, TX
First Night, Mobile, AL
Bele Shere Festival, Ashville, NC
Jubilee Festival, Jackson, MS
Hanover Highland Games, Richmond, VA
City Stages, Birmingham, AL
Jubilee City Fest, Montgomery, AL
City Fest, Tuscaloosa, AL
The Acoustic Café, Hayden, AL
Gulf Coast Arts Fest, Pensacola, FL
Panoply Festival, Huntsville, AL
Kentuck Festival, Tuscaloosa, AL
Celtic Fest, Jackson, MS
Jazz Fest, Pensacola, FL
The Helen Keller Festival, Tuscumbia, AL
Sumter Scottish Faire / SC
The Birmingham International Festival / AL
The Blue Ridge Celtic Festival / NC
The Village of Baytowne Wharf St Pats Celebration, FL
Has Appeared With:
Bob Dylan
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Hass
Brian McNeill
Kingston Trio
Tannahill Weavers
David Grisman Quintet
Patrick Street
Peter Rowan
Richie Havens
Touchstone
Paddy O’Brien & Chulrua
Kevin Burke & Open House
Mick Mollony & Gerry O'Sullivan
Claire Lynch
Alabama Symphony Orchestra
Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra
Ed Miller
Neal Anderson & Rathkilter
(and many others!)
Radio & Television Appearances
National Public Radio / "Says You"
“Ear for the Irish”, Alabama Public Television
Radio Live-WUWF, Pensacola, FL
The Morning Show-WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL
WBHM Public Radio, Birmingham, AL
WUAL Public Radio, Tuscaloosa, AL
Music Halls & Pubs
Be Here Now, Ashville, NC
Tigin Pub, Stamford, CT
Baggot Inn, Greenwich Village, NYC, NY
South Main Café, Blacksburg, VA
Patrick Rooney’s Pub, West Palm Beach, FL
Fa
Links
