Henry Hample is a fiddler and music teacher, born in New Rochelle, NY. He started classical piano and cello lessons at age 7, then switched to guitar and harmonica at age 9. On a whim, his father gave him a fiddle for his 16th birthday and Henry taught himself to play.
He played bass in punk bands in California (the Satellites, 1979-80, and Scapegoats, 1980-82). He returned to New York in 1983 and studied English literature at NYU, then received a master's degree in ethnomusicology from Brown University. He played multiple instruments with several folk-rock bands in New York including Washboard Jungle (1989-94).
He moved to Louisiana in 2007 and has played fiddle with more than 50 different accordionists, including Sheryl Cormier, Ray Abshire, Jesse Lege, Joe Hall, and August Broussard. He currently performs with several bands including the Has Beans, Don Fontenot & Friends of Louisiana, and the Bernie Alan Band. He is a full-time music teacher at Berchmans Academy in Grand Coteau, and has also taught music for Louisiana Folk Roots, LSUE, and South Louisiana Community College.
