Fletcher Henderson
| Fletcher Henderson | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. |
| Also known as | "Smack" Henderson |
| Born |
December 18, 1897 Cuthbert, Georgia, United States |
| Died | December 29, 1952 (aged 55) New York, New York, United States |
| Genres | Jazz, swing |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, arranger, bandleader |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1921–50 |
James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. (December 18, 1897 – December 29, 1952) was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. He was one of the most prolific black musical arrangers and, along with Duke Ellington, is considered one of the most influential arrangers and bandleaders in jazz history. Henderson's influence was vast. He helped bridge the gap between the Dixieland and the swing eras. He was often known as Smack Henderson (apparently because of his skill as a batter playing baseball in college).
James Fletcher Henderson was born in Cuthbert, Georgia, in 1897. He grew up in a middle-class African-American family. His father, Fletcher H. Henderson Sr. (1857–1943), was the principal of the nearby Howard Normal Randolph School from 1880 until 1942. His home, now known as the Fletcher Henderson House, is a historic site. His mother, a teacher, taught him and his brother Horace to play the piano. He began lessons by the age of six. His father would occasionally lock Fletcher in his room to practice for hours. By age 13, Henderson possessed a keen ability to read music and sense pitch. He pursued the studies with his mother and further engaged himself in lessons on European art.
Although a talented musician, Henderson decided to dedicate himself to math and science. At age 18 he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and changed his name to Fletcher Henderson, giving up James, his grandfather's name. He attended Atlanta University (where he was a member of the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha) and graduated in 1920 with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics. After graduation, he moved to New York City to attend Columbia University for a master's degree in chemistry. Finding his job prospects in chemistry to be poor because of his race, Fletcher turned to music.
After arriving in New York City, Henderson shared an apartment with a pianist who worked as a musician. When his roommate was too sick to perform, Henderson took his place in the Riverboat Orchestra, which soon gave him a job as a full-time replacement, helping him land a job with Black Swan Records in 1921–1923. During the 1920s, he played piano accompaniment for blues singers. He also led the backing group for Ethel Waters during one of her national tours.
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