Shifty Henry facts for kids

John Willie "Shifty" Henry (born October 4, 1921 – died November 30, 1958) was a very talented American musician. He was best known for playing the double bass and bass guitar. Shifty Henry was also a great blues songwriter. He could play many other instruments too, like the flute, violin, viola, saxophone, and oboe. People in Los Angeles often asked him to play or arrange music for them in the 1940s and 1950s. He was also a big part of the live jazz music scene on Central Avenue.

Meet Shifty Henry

Early Life and His Cool Nickname

Shifty Henry was born in Edna, Texas. He studied music at Prairie View A&M University near Houston. While in college, he played center on the football team. His football coach gave him the nickname "Shifty" because he was very fast and agile.

A Musician with Many Names

While most people knew him as Shifty Henry, he sometimes used other names for his songwriting and producing work. These included Baron Von Shifte, Esq., Shifte Henri, Shifte' Henre, S. Henry, and Shifti Henri.

Famous Songs and Collaborations

One of Shifty Henry's most famous songs is "Let Me Go Home, Whiskey". This song became a big hit in the early 1950s for Amos Milburn. Later, the band Asleep at the Wheel brought the song back. Another one of Henry's songs, "Hypin' Women Blues", was recorded in 1945. It was later recorded by T-Bone Walker in 1947. Years later, a DJ named Mr. Scruff used parts of "Hypin' Women Blues" in his own song, "Get a Move On". This song was used in many TV commercials, which made more people interested in Shifty Henry's music.

Shifty Henry worked with and arranged music for many famous jazz and rhythm and blues artists. These included Dinah Washington, Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, The Treniers, Illinois Jacquet, and Miles Davis. He had strong friendships and work connections throughout the music world in Los Angeles. His band, the Shifty Henry All-Stars, often played at New Year's Eve parties. These parties were hosted by important people like Dorothy Chandler and her husband Otis, who published the Los Angeles Times newspaper.

Shifty Henry in Pop Culture

Shifty Henry is even mentioned in the lyrics of the famous song "Jailhouse Rock" by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The song says: "Shifty Henry said to Bugs, for heaven's sake, no one's looking, now's a chance to make a break."

Leo Fender, who created the famous Fender guitars, chose Shifty Henry to be one of the first people to get an electric Fender Precision Bass. Shifty Henry, using the name "Shifte Henri", even appeared in a Fender advertisement in 1954. He also appeared in the film noir movie, D.O.A. in 1950. In the movie, he played a string bass player in a jazz club. He was also part of the house band for the popular Martin and Lewis television show.

Shifty Henry passed away in Los Angeles when he was 37 years old.