Renowned Australian honky-tonk piano master Ezra Lee is teaming up with Nashville-based blues and boogie phenom Henri Herbert for an electrifying national tour titled Piano Boogie Mayhem, kicking off June 1 at the Mustang Bar in Perth. With two of the world’s most dynamic boogie woogie pianists sharing the stage, audiences are in for what Lee promises will be an “atomic” experience.
Lee’s immersion into the world of music was practically inevitable. His father, Ed Matzenik, played a pivotal role in shaping Australian rock music, having formed The Atlantics—the band behind the surf rock classic “Bombora”—and later working as a recording engineer in London during the 1960s. Growing up amid studios and stages, Lee absorbed everything around him.
“Dad turned 80 this year, and it’s made me reflect a lot,” Lee shares. “He came from a time when Australia’s rock ‘n’ roll scene was just starting. He saw legends like Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis in action. I went to gigs with him, and he also co-owned Enrec Studios, where I got to watch artists record, including John Williamson and Roger Knox. That whole environment taught me how to be a musician, not just how to play.”
Lee began piano lessons at age four under his father’s guidance. “The piano just made sense right away. I taught myself the rest by listening to local pianists in Tamworth, where I grew up,” he says. “I’d play for hours daily. It was always my favorite instrument—and singing came naturally too.”
By his teenage years, Lee was already making waves, performing with Johnny Green’s Blues Cowboys. Unlike many of his classmates who were into Cold Chisel and Australian Crawl, Lee was gigging at rough pubs and major festivals, earning $150 a show—three times a week.
“The band played a killer mix of Chicago blues, rockabilly, and country, and was well-respected on the scene,” he recalls. “I’d play piano at school for teachers and classmates before lessons, which helped spread the love for boogie woogie and roots music. I also started getting session work in Tamworth, and since then, I’ve played on over 50 albums.”
A self-taught boogie woogie specialist, Lee later developed a deep appreciation for Jelly Roll Morton, and 1950s country pianists like Moon Mullican and Floyd Cramer. But his biggest influence remains Jerry Lee Lewis. Lee even supported Lewis in Las Vegas in 2011—a defining moment.
“I’ve always wanted to sound like myself, but Jerry Lee taught me so much. He’s the greatest. Playing on the same bill as him in Vegas and hearing that he liked my album—that meant the world,” Lee says. “I also met Johnnie Johnson and Dr. John—great musicians and even better people. My favorite singers include ‘The Killer’ (Jerry Lee Lewis), ‘The Possum’ (George Jones), Hank Williams Sr., and Lefty Frizzell. Their styles really shaped me.”
Lee’s career is packed with collaborations. He’s toured with Rose Tattoo, Wanda Jackson, Doug Parkinson, Nick Barker, James Blundell, and Dave Larkin (Dallas Crane). He’s also recorded with Linda Gail Lewis (Jerry Lee’s sister), Jimmy Van Eaton (Sun Studios drummer), and Travis Wammack (guitarist for Little Richard).
Now, Lee is joining forces with Henri Herbert, whose high-octane piano style made him a standout in the Jim Jones Revue. Herbert has collaborated with blues royalty such as Sue Foley, Dave Alvin, Chuck Leavell, Kim Wilson, and Bryan Adams. He brings fiery intensity and masterful technique, with performances that have graced major platforms like The Late Show With David Letterman.
“Henri has energy like a rocket to Mars!” Lee exclaims. “He’s one of the world’s best rock ‘n’ roll piano players and has an amazing voice. I knew touring with him would be a blast.”
For the Piano Boogie Mayhem tour, Lee and Herbert will be joined by Jay McIvor on bass, Yugon Chobanoff on drums, and Andy Jarvis on guitar. The twin-piano setup will allow the two virtuosos to feed off each other’s energy, creating performances that are expected to dazzle crowds across the country.
“We’ll be playing new songs from Henri’s latest release and performing dueling pianos—it’ll be atomic,” Lee teases. “The Mustang Bar is the best American-style venue in Australia, and the crowd there loves high-energy rock and boogie. This tour is going to go crazy!”
For fans of raw, authentic, and high-powered piano-driven music, this tour is not to be missed. With two of the finest boogie woogie players alive today sharing the stage, Piano Boogie Mayhem promises to be a celebration of rhythm, heritage, and pure musical joy.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of vintage rock ‘n’ roll or a newcomer to the style, Lee and Herbert are ready to blow the roof off—and make you dance in the process.
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