RIP, Fletcher Henderson (1897-1952)

Bandleader Fletcher Henderson (1897-1952) died on December 29, 1952, in New York City. He was 55 years old. Henderson had suffered a stroke in 1950, which resulted in partial paralysis and ended his ability to perform as a pianist. He was buried in the family plot in Cuthbert, Georgia.

Henderson's orchestra was the first of the influential big bands and established the foundations for swing music. Louis Armstrong, the first great jazz soloist, and Coleman Hawkins, its first great saxophonist, were both members of Henderson's orchestra. in fact, when Henderson brought Armstrong from Chicago to New York in October 1924, he was responsible for moving the geographical focus of jazz in the United States.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album Developing an American Orchestra 1923-1927 (Smithsonian Collection). Unfortunately, that album is only available in vinyl. Jim Determan, who has updated the Lyons list, recommends as an alternative A Study in Frustration: The Fletcher Henderson Story (Columbia), which is available from Amazon.com.

The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra plays "My Pretty Girl" here:

Robert
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