Henry Hample is a fiddler, bassist, vocalist, 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 with several folk-rock bands in New York including Washboard Jungle (1989-94).
He moved to Louisiana in 2007 and now plays fiddle with various Cajun bands including the Has Beans, Don Fontenot & Friends of Louisiana, and Jamie Berzas & Cajun Tradition. He has recorded CD's with the Has Beans, Ray Landry, Harry Trahan, Lisa Trahan, Wallace Trahan, and Aaron Chesson. He is a full-time music teacher at Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, and has also taught music for Louisiana Folk Roots, LSUE, and South Louisiana Community College.
