Fletcher Henderson, 1897-1952          

The “uncrowned king of swing”, as he is dubbed by Jeffrey Magee, his most recent biographer, Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr., put together orchestras filled with remarkable talents and musical arrangements that established a new jazz style that took the country by storm in the 1930’s and 40’s.

Born in Cuthbert, Georgia, in 1897, Fletcher was raised in a middle-class black family.  His father was an educator who insisted that his son pursue a professional career.  Fletcher graduated in 1920 from Atlanta College, majoring in chemistry, and then moved to New York seeking a Masters degree from Columbia University.  Racial realities forced him to rethink his scientific career goals and to pursue instead his love of music that came from his piano teacher mother.

His education led him to a position as manager of the Black Swan Record Company, one of the earliest African American record companies, and his piano skills enabled him to serve also as music director.  He organized his first orchestra in 1922 to accompany the singer Ethel Waters.  His group later played at several New York clubs including the famous Roseland Ballroom.  He was able to attract exceptional musicians such as trumpeter Louis Armstrong and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins (both Gennett Records Walk of Fame inductees), and the orchestra soon became known as the best “colored” band in the City.

Performing as the Dixie Stompers, the Henderson orchestra recorded two songs at the Gennett studio in Manhattan in March of 1926.  Honeybunch featured Fletcher on the piano and Coleman Hawkins on sax in an arrangement by alto saxophonist Don Redman.  The second was When Spring Comes Peeping Through.

Redman was a talented arranger and, together with Fletcher in the late 20’s, devised the formula of swing jazz featuring competing soloists (which now may seem self-evident given the talents of Armstrong and Hawkins!).  Redman left in 1927, leaving Henderson to pick up the arranging responsibilities.  He proved to be adept at the new sound, and “swing” became immensely popular.  In the 30’s Henderson arrangements were adopted by many dance bands, including that of Benny Goodman, the acknowledged “king of swing”, whose many hits featured Henderson arrangements.  Unfortunately, his own orchestra faltered and finally was disbanded in 1934. Henderson joined Goodman in 1939, becoming the first black musician to be hired by a white group. 

During the 1940’s, Henderson became a marginal figure in popular music.  A debilitating stroke in 1950 ended his performing career.

Author:David Fulton, Ph.D

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