On Saturday, July 1st, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and Urban Impact added a new name to the Alabama Walk of Fame—Henry “Otto” Blankenship. A Birmingham native, A.H. Parker High School graduate and jazz figure, Blankenship received his own star in honor of his contributions to jazz.

About Henry “Otto” Blankenship

Born in Birmingham, Henry “Otto” Blankenship attended A.H. Parker High School—a school known as an incredible incubator for jazz greats like Erskine Hawkins and Avery Parrish.

According to a press release, Blankenship received critical acclaim for his recording of, “I’ve Only Myself to Blame” and performed with legendary jazz stars like Lionel Hampton, Lou Rawls and Amos Gordon—as well as fellow A.H. Parker graduate Erskine Hawkins.

Blankenship was officially inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981 and shortly thereafter.

Awarded a star on the Alabama Walk of Fame

The star-unveiling ceremony took place on Saturday, July 1 and was attended by Mayor Randall Woodfin, Councilor Darrell O’Quinn, members of the Blankenship family and other prominent figures in the city. The star is located in front of Jazzi’s on 3rd, a local jazz joint that was “inspired by the life of of the late Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Inductee, Henry Blankenship.”

Significantly, this is the first star added to the Alabama Walk of Fame in over thirty years.

Excited to see a new name added to the Alabama Walk of Fame? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!