Fletcher Henderson (1897–1952) was a pivotal American jazz musician, bandleader, and arranger, often regarded as one of the most influential figures in the early development of big band jazz and swing music. He was born in Cuthbert, Georgia, and initially studied chemistry before turning to music.
Henderson was a talented pianist, but he is best known for his innovative work as an arranger and bandleader. His orchestra, which he formed in the 1920s, became one of the most important in Harlem during the Jazz Age. His arrangements for big bands incorporated complex harmonies and orchestrations, setting the stage for the development of swing music in the 1930s. His contributions connected the Dixieland music to the early swing and later styles.
Some of Henderson’s most famous contributions to jazz include arrangements for the iconic musicians like Louis Armstrong and Coleman Hawkins, who were part of his band. His collaborations with these jazz legends helped to define the sound of early swing and laid the groundwork for the era of big bands that dominated popular music in the 1930s and 1940s.
Despite Henderson’s critical role in jazz, his contributions are sometimes overshadowed by the later success of swing bands led by other musicians like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. Henderson, along with Don Redman, established the formula for swing music. The two broke the band into sections (sax section, trumpet section, etc.). These sections worked together to create a unique sound. Sometimes, the sections would play in the call-and-response style and at other times one section would play supporting riffs behind the other.
Henderson created a band that could play dance music and complex arrangements. Louis Metcalf said: “The sight of Fletcher Henderson’s men playing behind music stands brought on a learning-to-read-music kick in Harlem which hadn’t cared before it. There were two years of real concentration. Everybody greeted you with ‘How’s studying?”
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