A visionary pianist, vocalist, and composer, Henry Butler’s work explored ethnic, gospel, blues, and European classical traditions as part of an eclectic take on contemporary jazz, echoing the vibrant nature of his New Orleans roots. After kicking around various corners of the music business for almost a decade, Butler debuted as a performer in 1986 with the traditional Fivin' Around. By the '90s, swampish blues started creeping into his buoyant sets, and save for a well-received pure jazz set in 1996, For All Seasons, his recordings generally wandered gloriously into new territories.