Fletcher Henderson

Full biography Fletcher Henderson

Fletcher Henderson was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer who had a significant impact on the development of jazz music in the early 20th century. He was born on December 18, 1897, in Cuthbert, Georgia, and died on December 29, 1952, in New York City.

Henderson's musical career began in the 1910s when he moved to New York City to study chemistry. However, he was soon drawn to the city's vibrant music scene and began playing piano in various bands. By the mid-1920s, Henderson had formed his own group, which became one of the most influential jazz bands of the time.

Henderson's band was known for its innovative arrangements and sophisticated style, which combined the improvisational elements of jazz with the formal structure of classical music. Some of Henderson's most famous compositions include "Wrappin' It Up," "King Porter Stomp," and "Soft Winds."

Over the course of his career, Henderson worked with many of the most famous jazz musicians of the era, including Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, and Benny Goodman. He also helped to launch the careers of several young musicians, including trumpeter Roy Eldridge and saxophonist Lester Young.

Henderson's contributions to jazz music were widely recognized during his lifetime, and he was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1982. Today, he is remembered as a key figure in the development of jazz music and as one of the most important composers and arrangers of his time.