Shifty Henry

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John Willy "Shifty" Henry (born October 4, 1921 in Edna, Oklahoma, died November 30, 1958) was an American musician, most noted as a bass player, and blues songwriter. He also played flute, violin, viola, saxophone, and oboe and was in demand as a session player and arranger in Los Angeles in the 40s and 50s. He was also active in LA's live jazz scene on Central Avenue.

Henry had a degree in music from Prairie View A&M University near Houston, Texas. He played center on the football team, and the football coach gave him his nickname for his speed and agility. He generally performed and recorded as Shifty Henry, but he used a number of transparent pseudonyms for songwriting and producing, including, Baron Von Shifte, Esq., Shifte Henri, Shifte' Henre', S. Henry, Shifte Henri and Shifti Henri.

His best known song is "Let Me Go Home, Whisky", which was a hit in the early 1950s for Amos Milburn and was later revived by Asleep at the Wheel. Another Henry song, "Hyping Woman Blues", recorded by T-Bone Walker was sampled by DJ Mr. Scruff for his song "Get a Move On", which was used in several commercials. This led to a revival of interest in Henry's compositions.

Henry recorded with and arranged for the elite of jazz and rhythm and blues, including Dinah Washington, Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, The Treniers, Illinois Jacquet, and Miles Davis. Henry maintained strong social as well as professional relations throughout the city and the music industry. The Shifty Henry All-Stars played regularly at New Year's Eve balls thrown by socialite Dorothy Chandler and her husband Otis, publisher of the Los Angeles Times.

He is mentioned by name in the lyrics of "Jailhouse Rock" by Leiber and Stoller: "Shifty Henry said to Bugs, for heaven's sake, no one's looking nows a chance to make a break."

Leo Fender selected Henry to receive an early electric Fender Precision Bass. Henry appears as a string bass player in a jazz club in the film noir classic D.O.A. in 1950. He also played in the house band for the Martin and Lewis television show.