Arthur H

Arthur H
Arthur H concert in Paris (May 2007).
Background information
Birth name	Arthur Higelin
Born	(1966-03-27) 27 March 1966 (age 50)
Origin	Paris, France
Genres	French pop music, Experimental, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Electronica
Occupation(s)	Pianist, Singer, Songwriter
Instruments	Piano, Accordion, Jaw harp, Didgeridoo, Bass, Harmonium, Organ, Guitar.
Years active	1988–present
Website	ArthurH.net

Arthur Higelin (born Paris, France, 27 March 1966), better known under his stage name Arthur H [aʁtyʁ ɑːʃ], is a pianist, songwriter and singer. He is best known in France for his live performances – four of his albums were recorded live.

He is the son of the French singer Jacques Higelin and Nicole Courtois, and half brother of singers Izïa Higelin and stage and film actor, theatre director and music video director Kên Higelin.

After traveling in the West Indies, he studied music in Boston before returning to Paris and developing his eclectic but highly personal musical style, drawing on such influences as Thelonious Monk, Serge Gainsbourg, the Sex Pistols, jazz, blues, Middle Eastern music and the tango. He first performed in 1988 in clubs in Paris, as leader of a trio with bassist Brad Scott and drummer Paul Jothy.

His first album, Arthur H (1990), combined rhythmic experimentation and bal-musette elements with a vocal style which has been compared to Tom Waits. He toured widely around this time, particularly in France and Japan, adding a fourth band member, Jon Handelsman (saxophone), and produced a second album, Bachibouzouk (1992). In early 1993, he did a six-week season at the Magic Mirrors, an antique circus big top, which was later put on as a touring show and recorded on the live album En chair et en os.

In 1996, he released the album Trouble Fête, following which he performed a season at the Gymnase in Paris. The live album Fête Trouble (1997) included some tracks from these shows as well as others recorded on tour in Africa. He toured the USA and Canada in 1998.