Henri Texier

Henri Texier (born in Viry-Châtillon, France, on January 27, 1945) is one of the leading double bassists on the French jazz scene, and has crossed paths with many great names since his debut in 1962. Joining the European Rhythm Machine in 1968, he went on to experiment with trios (HJT) and more (Azur Quartet then Quintet, Strada Sextet), and recorded a number of albums inspired by his travels: Amir et Varech in 1975, Paris-Batignolles in 1988 and Mad Nomad(s) in 1995. In a new trio with Louis Sclavis and Aldo Romano, he recorded Carnets de Route (1996), Suite Africaine (1999) and American Flashback, released in 2004, the same year as (V)ivre and Strada Sextet . 2007 saw the release of Alerte à l'Eau, followed by Love Songs Reflexions, by Texier's Red Route Quartet in 2009. Two years later follows the eclectic and exotic Canto Negro. In 2015, a boxed set of his complete discography was released on the JMS label, and the following year, Sky Dancers, with his son Sébastien Texier, who took over on clarinet and alto saxophone several years ago. Since then, father and son have collaborated on projects with guitarist Manu Codja and drummer Gautier Garrigue on Sand Woman (2018), Chance (2020), Heteroklite Lockdown (2022) and An Indian's Life, featuring saxophonist Sylvain Rifflet and singer Himiko Paganotti, daughter of bassist Bernard Paganotti. In 2025, Henri Texier welcomes pianist/keyboardist Emmanuel Borghi and trumpeter Hermon Mehari for Healing Songs, also featuring Sébastien Texier, Gautier Garrigue and guest percussionist Manu Katché.