Ozark Henry
BelgiumBiography of Ozark Henry
Ozark Henry, born on April 29, 1970, in the ancient city of Kortrijk, Belgium, is a Belgian musician best known by his stage name. His stage name, Ozark Henry, is a combination of the term "Ozark Plateau," which is a plateau located in Arkansas, USA, and the word "Henry," derived from the scandalous novel "Junkie" by American Beat writer William Burroughs, where "Henry" is slang for heroin.
Ozark Henry has released 6 studio albums, 2 live albums, and 2 compilations throughout his career. He was born into a family of classical and jazz musicians, with his father, Norbert Goddaer, being a renowned contemporary composer. With his father's support, Ozark Henry began studying piano and saxophone at the Kortrijk Music School at the age of six. It was later discovered that Ozark Henry had a remarkable talent for songwriting and possessed a pleasant, slightly husky voice. His extensive collection of records, housed in his father's home, helped him develop a broad musical taste, ranging from European classical composers to Dave Brubeck and Frank Zappa. Writing music came as naturally to Ozark Henry as breathing. He is a prolific and passionate composer and performer who easily collaborates with other artists and explores his talents in other disciplines, such as creating film scores or soundtracks for fashion shows. Ozark Henry is inspired by cinema, fashion, architecture, literature, and sculpture, all of which fuel his creativity.
Early Musical Career
On his 16th birthday, Ozark Henry received his first electric guitar as a gift from his father, and he taught himself how to play. Shortly after, he formed his first band, "Church of Nemesis," with his brother Jan Goddaer as the bassist. When the vocalist left the band, Ozark Henry took on the role, and the band changed its name to "Heather O'Rourke." In 1994, Jan started a new project called "Word," playing funk and hip-hop, with Ozark Henry writing all the lyrics and performing rap on stage. "Word" gained popularity within the Belgian underground scene, and some of their songs received airplay on Studio Brussels radio station. Soon after, Ozark Henry decided to pursue a solo career, and in 1995, Ozark Henry was born. His debut album, "I'm Seeking Something That Has Already Found Me," was released in 1996, receiving critical acclaim and putting the young musician in the spotlight. However, his true success and recognition came with the release of his third album, "Birthmarks," in 2001, featuring hit songs like "Rescue," "Word Up," and "Sweet Instigator." All subsequent albums and compilations sold in large quantities.
Collaborations and Soundtracks
Ozark Henry's talent and skill did not go unnoticed by his peers, and he frequently collaborates with other singers and bands as a composer, arranger, and producer. He has also been involved in creating soundtracks for three films, including the adaptation of Thea Beckman's famous novel "Crusade in Jeans" (Kruistocht in spijkerbroek). When he is not working on music, Ozark Henry enjoys drawing as a hobby. In his youth, he took lessons at a local art school, and he personally designs some of the booklets accompanying his albums.
