Henri's Notions -- The Band

Jil Chambless is without a doubt one of America's top Celtic music vocalist and musicians. A native of Montgomery, AL, Jil was first introduced to Celtic music in the 1980's when she met the Tuscaloosa, Alabama based band, Henri's Notions, and the rest is history. During her tenure, the Notions have completed four recording projects and performed nationally at concerts and festivals.

Michael Bowman has been a member of Henri's Notions from the time it was an unnamed collection of musicians playing folk music at social gatherings in the 1970's. In the years since, he has played violin in many genres from country, classical, bluegrass, jazz and celtic music. He has also been an active member of the Tuscaloosa symphony since 1987. Michael is a habitué of pub sessions where, if he is not found among the musicians playing jigs and reels with a pint by his side, he might be found in competition at the dart board.

Tom Stem
Bouzouki / Mandolin / Accordian / Bones / Vocals

Tom Stem (bouzouki / accordion - man extraordinaire) is twice one of Henri's Notions, having rejoined aftera sabbatical during which he rested, painted his mailbox, and counted his change. Always tracking musicaltrends, his family is originally from Decatur, Alabama, but moved to California when American Bandstandrelocated from Philly to LA. Realizing the land grab had geared down a century before, the family movedback to Alabama during the 60's. As far as his musical influences, Tom has stuck with listening to Celtic stuff for the last few decades, although he has changed his hairstyle a number of times. Noting that quite a few musicians have come and gone from the group over the years, Mr. Stem feels that if a person lives long enough, they will either collaborate with the Chieftains, join the Notions, or figure out the best way to make an omelet.

Randy Palmer grew up in a family that made music in and around the coal camps in West Central Alabama in Walker County near Cordova. He began playing electric and upright bass in junior highschool in the late 1960’s with local bands playing a variety of styles from the innovative rock of the 60’s, and originals, to country classics. He later frightened the locals when it was discovered that “half of everything he ate turned into hair” and, being claustrophobic, a career in mining coal wasn’t feasible, so he took his dawghouse bass to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he studied business and accounting and met members of what would become Henri’s Notions. He later studied double bass and was a member of the University Orchestra and Jazz Bands. Randy also works as a producer of music festivals and events, and like the rest of the Notions, tells a pretty good story.

Scooter has his roots in Bluegrass Music and has been priviledged to win eight State of Alabama & Tennessee Valley Championship titles for 5 String and Old Time Banjo. Scooter began to tap into the incredible world of Celtic Music about 25 years ago. After learning a flood of traditional jigs and reels on the banjo he began to explore the Celtic domain of open tunings for the guitar and from 1994 till 2002 was founder and leader of one of the country's finest Celtic bands, The Full Moon Ensemble, touring the US, Canada and Scotland. After the FME went their seperate ways in December of 2002, Scooter was proud to join Henri's Notions after being a big fan of the band for many years!

He has released his first solo guitar CD, "Saddell Abbey" featuring 14 tracks of music. The CD includes 12 original compositions for acoustic guitar including music set to the poetry of Robert Burns, and 3 songs by the Full Moon Ensemble's Allison King and Jil Chambless of Henri's Notions. Click here for information!

Performing professionally since the age of 14, and the newest member of the Notions, Mark has maintained a busy and varied musical career. As one of the top drummists in the southeastern region, he continues a steady schedule of performance and teaching. His first recordings appeared while still in high school with Trans Improvisation artists Davey Williams and LaDonna Smith. Pataphisical Reveue (Alcohol Records) and From the One That Cut You have maintained a steady cult following since the late 1970s. While attending the University of Alabama he traveled and recorded with numerous regional acts including legendary Muscle Shoals recording artist Tippy Armstrong.

In the years that followed, Lanter has performed and/or recorded with such notables including Michael Hedges, Mose Alison, Eric Essix (Nova Records), Vova Nova (Chameleon Records), Mundel Lowe, Giacomo Gates, Boots Randolph, James Peterson, Willi King, Big Bo and Little Whit, Ken Watters, Topper Price and the Upsetters, Otiel Burbridge, and many others. Most recently stints include Tom Wolfe, Simple Peace, 2001 and regional independent artists Downright, Downright, 2001, and Hidden Agenda, 2003. He currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama performing with his own groups Beat Unit and Bonus Round while teaching adjunct at UA and UAB. Needless to say the Notions are pumped to have someone of Mark's credentials round out the band!