I believe I first met Bill McHenry at a gig he was doing with another great friend of mine, Duane Eubanks, down on the lower east side of Manhattan. The name of the venue escapes me now as this was when I first moved to New York, but I remember hearing the pianoless quartet playing some very captivating music! For lack of a better term, some may call it free jazz, but I was just taken aback by the level of communication the group had. Bill was in complete control of his horn, and he clearly had carved out an identity that was unmistakably his. Afterward, I had the pleasure of hearing him lead his own groups at the famous Village Vanguard and we even played a gig together which was one of my personal highlights of being in New York to this day. His resume boasts a list of performances and recordings with a plethora of acclaimed jazz musicians that many would marvel at and yet, like many of the true greats he is one of the most humble and down-to-earth musicians anyone will ever meet. It’s been many years since I’ve last seen him, but we always keep in contact about music, life, and most importantly the NBA! I got a chance to catch up with him about his career, life in Barcelona, and everything in between…
You’ve had a very successful career playing with Norah Jones, leading your own groups at the Village Vanguard, playing with bassists, Eric Revis. It seems like you’ve done it all. I know it can be kind of hard answering questions like this, but what do you feel have been some of the defining moments in your career?
I don’t consider my career successful- there have been too many downs with the ups- but the high points have been in tandem with other musicians- being a member of other groups- with Ben Waltzer, Guillermo Klein, Reid Anderson, Rebecca Martin, Duane Eubanks, Orrin Evans, Andrew D’Angelo, Paul Motian, Jamie Saft, Andrew Cyrille (Pictured), and Eric Revis. I’m proud that musicians I admire recorded tunes of mine, including JD Allen, Orrin Evans, Dred Scott, and the Bad Plus. I also had some chances to play with some legends, Charlie Haden, Ray Bryant, Billy Kaye, Henry Grimes – immortal status players.
Who have been some of your biggest influences?
It started with Dexter Gordon and Woody Shaw. I’m still trying to learn Woody’s music in depth.
When did you decide to make the move to New York and how long did you live there?
I moved in September of 1992 and stayed till about 2016.
You’re now residing in Barcelona. How long have you been living in Barcelona and what made you want to move there?
I moved for marriage and stayed for the divorce! It’s a pretty place to live and I enjoy it but I don’t know if I’ll be here forever. I did want to try living somewhere other than NY though- I’d been there since I turned 20.
So now you’ve lived in two of the world’s major cities, which has to have been an exciting experience, and originally you’re from Maine, which I imagine might be the polar opposite of city living! How has each environment been different for you on an artistic level and personal level? Do you prefer one location above all the others?
I probably like the city life in Barcelona more than NY, but I love the people in NY- so many fun people.
What is the scene like in Barcelona and how do you feel it differs from New York? How has the local music, both jazz, and outside of jazz, as well as the other arts influenced your playing and composing? And even perhaps I can ask, how has just the entire scene of Barcelona influenced your artistic outlook?
I think Barcelona has been a place for me to kind of quiet my mind, so I work from the inside more, wherein NY I’m stimulated by the outside world of musicians which is so powerful. There is no comparison between the two scenes.
Pandemic allowing, will you be there for the foreseeable future, or is returning to the states on the horizon?
I think both things are possible, I’m taking it one day at a time for now.
How has life been ever there dealing with the pandemic and how has it affected your work as a musician?
It’s been rough. I’ve refocused on individual study and fortunately, I’ve been teaching in Barcelona at Conservatori Liceu, which has kept me afloat. It’s been terribly isolating and I have never gone so long not being in the States and seeing my family and friends.
For any musician looking to travel to or live in Barcelona or Spain in general, what places are some of your favorites to play at?
I like the Sunset Club in Girona, Robadors 23, Jamboree and Milano in Barcelona, and El Puput in the town I live in, Vilanova I la Geltrú.
Do you have any new projects on the horizon such as recordings or live streams that we can keep an eye out for?
I do have some ideas, and I’m writing for a group with myself, 2 basses 3 winds, and drums- using musicians from here- we’ll see what happens! In the meantime, I’m available to teach online for those interested.
I’d like to thank my good friend Bill McHenry for his time doing this interview. It’s always great to hear from him, and I hope he will be able to make it across the pond back to NYC soon as all of us in the city miss him! Be sure to check out his website for all the amazing albums he has recorded, and for any saxophonists out there, go get your lessons! Until next time!
Photography by
Micheal Bloom (Main) and Jack Vartoogian
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