Fletcher Henderson

Pianist, arranger, and jazz bandleader, born in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. He graduated in chemistry from Atlanta University, and moved to New York City in 1920 to continue his studies, but was diverted into a musical career, starting as house pianist for publishing and recording companies. In 1924 he put together a big band for what was supposed to be a temporary engagement, but stayed at the head of the orchestra until the mid-1930s, attracting the finest instrumentalists and arrangers of the time. His own orchestrations, and those of Don Redman, set the standard for the swing era.

Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. (December 18, 1897 – December 28, 1952) was an African American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and Swing music.

Fletcher Henderson was born in Cuthbert, Georgia. His band represented big band jazz.

In 1922 he formed his own band, which was resident first at the Club Alabam then at the Roseland, and quickly became known as the best "Colored" band in New York. For a time his ideas of arrangement were heavily influenced by those of Paul Whiteman, but when Louis Armstrong joined his orchestra in 1924 Henderson realized there could be a much richer potential for jazz band orchestration. Henderson's band also boasted the formidable arranging talents of Don Redman.

At one time or another, in addition to Armstrong, the band featured Henry "Red" Allen, Joe Smith, Rex Stewart, Tommy Ladnier, Doc Cheatham and Roy Eldridge on trumpet. Reed men Coleman Hawkins, Buster Bailey, Benny Carter and Chu Berry also were in and out of Fletcher's band.

Beginning in the early 1930s, Fletcher's piano-playing younger brother, Horace Henderson contributed to the arrangements of the band.

Although the band was very popular, Henderson had little success managing the band. In addition to his own band he arranged for several other bands, including those of Teddy Hill, Isham Jones, and most famously, Benny Goodman.

In 1934, Goodman's Orchestra was selected as a house band for the "Let's Dance" radio program. Many of Goodman's hits from the swing music were arranged by Henderson for his own band in the late 20s and early 30s.

In 1939 he disbanded his own band and joined Goodman's, first as both pianist and arranger and then working full time as arranger. He reformed bands of his own several times in the 1940s, toured with Ethel Waters again in 1948 - 1949.

A good source for information on Fletcher Henderson is The Fletcher Henderson Story a 3 CD Box Set sampling Henderson's music with extensive liner notes by jazz scholar Frank Driggs.