Hendrik Helmer
Hendrik Helmer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Hendrik Helmer June 5, 1970 Münster, Germany |
| Origin | New York City, United States |
| Genres | Pop, rock, blues, jazz |
| Occupations | Musician, producer, educator |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | Licorice Pizza Records, Henmusicrecords |
| Website | www |
Hendrik Helmer is a German-American guitarist, songwriter, and producer based in New York City. He has collaborated with artists including Carly Simon, Paul Shaffer, John Patitucci, Carmine Rojas, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Ferrone, Oz Noy, and Madonna, and has worked with a wide range of international performers across pop, jazz, and blues genres. He has also taught at the Juilliard School.
Early life and education
Helmer studied music in the Netherlands for six years before relocating to New York City in 1998. Details about his early musical influences include jazz and classical guitar training and exposure to both European and American classic rock, jazz, and blues traditions. He was picked by the Dutch percussionist Nippy Noya to be a part of the Berklee College of Music seminar in Epe, Germany, in 1996.
At age 15, Helmer began performing weekly at the Pink Piano in Osnabrück, Germany, where he had the opportunity to play alongside visiting American blues musicians. These formative performances introduced him to artists who would later become significant collaborators in his musical development.
In his teenage years, Helmer's passion for live performance led him to collaborate with a number of noted blues artists, including Gary Wiggins, Louisiana Red, Eddie C. Campbell, Big Jay McNeely, Jean Carroll, and Angela Brown. These early collaborations helped establish Helmer's foundation as a versatile live performer with deep roots in blues and soul traditions.
Between 1995 and 1997, Helmer toured extensively throughout France, Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands with percussionist Nippy Noya, performing numerous live shows including a notable concert at Paradiso in Amsterdam, which featured René Engels on drums.[1]
Career
Building on his early experiences performing alongside blues and jazz legends, Helmer went on to establish himself as a versatile guitarist, composer, and producer within the New York City music scene.
He has worked, performed, and recorded with artists including Amber, Carly Simon, Wyclef Jean, Maxwell, and Paul Shaffer. Helmer's career spans both live performance and studio recording sessions, blending his blues foundation with pop, rock, and soul influences.[2]
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Helmer remained an active presence in New York's recording and performance circuit. He contributed to albums with artists such as Marie-Claire Cremers (Amber), Carmen Browne, and Greer Baxter, and played on the benefit compilation Listen (A Benefit Album for Our Time), which also featured Carly Simon, Daryl Hall, Ann Hampton Callaway, Blue Man Group, and Mandy Patinkin.[3]
From 2008 to 2014, Helmer collaborated with the Our Time Company, performing at special events and workshops alongside prominent actors such as Edie Falco, Victor Garber, Paul Rudd, Sam Rockwell, and British comedian John Oliver. In 2005, he also coached actor Oscar Isaac during a three-month rehearsal at the Juilliard School for Isaac's final performance piece, The American Occupation, directed by Trip Cull.
In 2012, Helmer released his EP Tales of Lost Love, which received a five-star rating from AllMusic and was described as "thoughtfully crafted" with a "reflective and almost cinematic quality."[4] He made his Carnegie Hall debut on June 14, 2014.[5]
Since 2015, Helmer has worked as a private guitar instructor for high-profile clients, including Madonna’s children, Rocco Ritchie and David Banda, and, in 2023, English actress Mickey Sumner, daughter of Sting.[6] One of Helmer's longtime students, Sarah Solovay, won the John Mayer Songwriting Competition in 2008 for her single "Gone".
On December 31, 2025, Helmer was interviewed by radio presenter by Musicologist Dr. Holger Hettinger on Deutschlandfunk Kultur's program Musik im Gespräch, discussing the climate for cultural professionals in the United States.[7][8]
In addition to his extensive session work, Helmer has released solo albums and EPs showcasing his skills as a composer, arranger, and bandleader.[9]
Recent work
In 2018, Helmer collaborated with Michele Bettencourt on the album New Normal. In 2025, he produced, wrote, and recorded a follow-up project with Bettencourt in New York City titled Vampire Time, released on Licorice Pizza Records in Los Angeles.[10] The release was supported by the single Everybody Loves a Circus, with coverage in New Music Radio Network describing Helmer as an "accomplished guitarist in New York City" and one of the exceptional musicians involved in the project.[11]
The single also received chart recognition. It debuted at number 28 on the Independent Music Network Mainstream Top 30 Countdown,[12] was listed among the most-added tracks on National Radio Hits AC40 with 11 reporting stations,[13] and appeared on New Music Weekly's "Up & Coming" list with five station adds.[14] The recent single Gilded Age hits number one in the top 40 internet charts in July of 2026.[15] In 2025 Helmer also recorded his 4th studio album FOR HARRY which featured drum icon Vinnie Colaiuta on drums on 4 songs.
Additional reporting in Airplay Access emphasized Bettencourt's early collaboration with Helmer, noting that she "joined forces with Hendrik Helmer, an accomplished guitarist in New York City" to record New Normal, which, although never marketed or distributed, was described as "as timely now as it was then."[16]
Drummer Andy Parker of UFO also referenced Helmer as part of the production team for Vampire Time, alongside Everett Bradley, Steve Ferrone, and Kerry Brown.[17]
Recognition
In 2025, Helmer contributed to the single "Everybody Loves a Circus" by Michele Bettencourt & Vampire Time, which received the Independent Music Network (IMN) Award for Mainstream Breakout Single.[18]
In 2000, Helmer received a documentary film award in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, for Go With the Flow, a film that was produced by Karl Wortmann through the production company Ikon3film.
Discography
Album releases
| Year | Title | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | How Little We Know | Kawomusic record label | — |
| 1999 | Hugging Perfekt Stranger | Studio album; Kawomusic | — |
| 2010 | Life in the Loop | Studio album | [19] |
| 2010 | Love You From Afar | Single | [20] |
| 2012 | Tales of Lost Love | EP | [21][4] |
| 2013 | Take Me As I Am (with Kiki Voss) | EP | — |
| 2018 | Wieso, Warum (Roland Bergmann) | EP | — |
| 2019 | Bleed (with Greer Baxter) | EP | — |
| 2019 | Believe (with Devonee B.) | Album; production | — |
| 2019 | Something's There (with Devonee B.) | Single | [22] |
| 2018 | New Normal (with Michele Bettencourt) | EP | [23] |
| 2020 | Carousel (Keith Ward) | EP | [24] |
| 2019 | Push You Away, Bags Half Packed (Greer Baxter) | Co-production | — |
| 2020 | My Way Life at Rockwood Musical (Keith Ward) | Live | [24] |
| 2024 | Underachieve (Dallas Connors) | Album | — |
| 2024 | Lover Girl (Luzc Ellis) | Single | — |
| 2024 | Design Her (Luzc Ellis) | Single | — |
| 2025 | Boundaries (Luzc Ellis) | Single | — |
| 2025 | Vampire Time (Michele Bettencourt and Vampire Time) | Licorice Pizza Records studio album | [10] |
| 2026 | For Harry (Hendrik Helmer) | EP | - |
| 2026 | Cryin' (Hendrik Helmer) | Single | - |
| 2026 | After Hours (Fawn Segerson) | Album | - |
| 2026 | Tennessee Whiskey (Sadie Hargis ) | Single | - |
| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "You're in Love With Me" | Glenn Kidd | Backing vocals, co-producer and engineer |
| 2020 | "Everyday People" | Glenn Kidd | Drums and percussion, co-producer and co-engineer |
| 2021 | "Life Is for the Living" | Glenn Kidd | Guitar, co-producer and engineer |
| 2022 | "Give Up the Ghost" | Glenn Kidd | Co-producer and co-engineer |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Love You From Afar | Hendrik Helmer | [23] |
| 2012 | Tales of Lost Love | Hendrik Helmer | [24] |
| 2012 | If There is a Heaven | Hendrik Helmer | [25] |
| 2012 | The Same | Hendrik Helmer | — |
| 2012 | Better Days | Hendrik Helmer | — |
| 2013 | Don't Wanna Make You Mine | Kiki Voss | — |
| 2013 | Take Me As I Am | Kiki Voss | [26] |
| 2013 | God in Drag | Glenn Kidd | [27] |
| 2025 | Trash | Michele Bettencourt | — |
| 2025 | Vampire Time | Michele Bettencourt | — |
| 2026 | Meat Head | Gary Fisher | — |
| 2026 | Gilded Age | Michele Bettencourt | — |
Other notable performances
- Featured guitarist with Lucy Woodward for Verve Records (2010), including for the music video Ragdoll. (Performance available on YouTube: YouTube)
As featured guitarist
| Year | Title | Artist/Context | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | My Kind of World | Amber | [25] |
| 2005 | You Move Me | Amber | — |
| 2005 | Voodoo | Amber | — |
| 2007 | My Name is Rasulus | Rasulus | — |
| 2007 | Palladium II: Horses On Mars | Palladium | — |
| 2008 | Listen (A Benefit Album for Our Time) | Various (Carly Simon, Daryl Hall, John Forté, Skylar Grey aka Holly Brook, Ann Hampton Callaway, Blue Man Group, Mandy Patinkin) | — |
| 2009 | Primetime | Eddie Bishai | — |
| 2010 | Holedelic | Everett Bradley | — |
| 2010 | You're the Same As Me | Gigi Fouquet | [26] |
| 2011 | Red Light | Kiku Collins | — |
| 2011 | Bethesda | Sasha Di Bona | — |
| 2014 | Cloud Ballet EP | Carmen Browne | — |
| 2015 | Carmen Browne | Carmen Browne | — |
| 2016 | Something there | Devonne B | — |
| 2018 | Crawling On My Hands | Matthew Curran | — |
| 2019 | Everything to Me | Keith Ward | — |
| 2019 | Believe | Devonee B. | — |
| 2019 | Talkin' 'Bout You and Me | Henry Dee | — |
| 2021 | Life Is for the Living | Glenn Kidd | Guitar, co-producer and engineer |
| 2024 | Can't Find the Time | Henry Dee | — |
| 2024 | Underachive | Dallas Connors | — |
| 2024 | Lover Girl | Luzc Ellis | — |
| 2024 | Design Her | Luzc Ellis | — |
| 2025 | Boundaries | Luzc Ellis | — |
| 2025 | Vampire Time | Michele Bettencourt | [10] |
| 2025 | Everybody Loves a Circus | Michele Bettencourt w/ Vampire Time | [27] |
| 2025 | Chaffeur | Fawn Segerson | — |
| 2025 | Across Your Pillow | Frank Basile | — |
| 2025 | Aug. 21st | Shawn Cortel | [28] |
| 2025 | Get Her | Baby Yungin | [29] |
See also
References
- ↑ "Hendrik Helmer early career tour with Nippy Noya". LeftyBass. Frans Vollink. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
- ↑ "Amber – My Kind of World". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "Listen – A Benefit Album for Our Time". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- 1 2 Wright, Adam (16 September 2025). "Tales of Lost Love – Review". AllMusic. Netaktion LLC. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ "Carnegie Hall performance". Getty Images. Getty Images. 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ "Hendrik Helmer – Jazz Loft Bio". The Jazz Loft. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ "Programm – Deutschlandfunk Kultur (31 December 2025)". Deutschlandfunk Kultur (in German). Deutschlandradio. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "Programmvorschau KW 1 – Deutschlandfunk (PDF)" (PDF). Deutschlandfunk (in German). Deutschlandradio. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "Hendrik Helmer – Artist Page". Apple Music. Apple Inc. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Vampire Time". Licorice Pizza Store. Licorice Pizza. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
- ↑ "Michele Bettencourt – Everybody Loves a Circus". New Music Radio Network. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "Independent Music Network – Mainstream Chart (Sept 2–8, 2025)". Independent Music Network. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ "National Radio Hits – AC40 Chart (Sept 3, 2025)". National Radio Hits. 3 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ "AC/Hot AC Chart". New Music Weekly. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ "The Independent Music Network". The Independent Music Network. 14 July 2026. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ "World Premiere of Michele Bettencourt w/ Vampire Time". Airplay Access. Airplay Access. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "Michele Bettencourt and Vampire Time". Andy Parker Online. August 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "Trans Musician & Tech CEO Michele Bettencourt's VAMPIRE TIME to Play NY's Cutting Room". BroadwayWorld. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "Life in the Loop". Apple Music. Apple Inc. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ↑ "Love You From Afar". Apple Music. Apple Inc. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ↑ "Tales of Lost Love – EP". Apple Music. Apple Inc. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ↑ "Something's There (feat. Devonee B. & Hendrik Helmer) – Single". Apple Music. Apple Inc. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
- ↑ "World Premiere of Michele Bettencourt w/ Vampire Time". Airplay Access. Airplay Access. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- 1 2 "Rising country-pop star Olivia Lane brings her infectious sounds to Tooth & Nail Winery on March 26th". New Times San Luis Obispo. New Times. 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "Amber – My Kind of World". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "Gigi Fouquet – You're the Same As Me". Smooth-Jazz.de. Smooth-Jazz.de. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ↑ "Independent Music Network – Mainstream Chart (Sept 2–8, 2025)". Independent Music Network. Independent Music Network. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ↑ "Aug. 21st – Single". Apple Music. Apple Inc. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ↑ "Baby Yungin". Spotify. Spotify. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
External links
- [Official website]
- [SoundCloud page]