James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson (December 18, 1897 – December 29, 1952) [1] was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big …

Fletcher Henderson (born December 18, 1897, Cuthbert, Georgia, U.S.—died December 29, 1952, New York City, New York) was an American musical arranger, bandleader, and pianist …

Feb 28, 2023 · A substantial history of jazz trumpet, for example, could be written using only musicians who passed through Henderson’s band: Louis Armstrong, Joe Smith, Tommy …

In the ‘30s Henderson arrangements were adopted by many dance bands, including that of Benny Goodman. When his own orchestra faltered, Henderson joined Goodman in 1939, becoming …

Apr 4, 2023 · Yet Fletcher Henderson was a pivotal bandleader, leading possibly the most dynamic early big band of the ‘20s and ‘30s and having been an enormous draw and …

Aug 1, 2025 · Henderson then became the first African-American musician to appear with a white band when he joined the Benny Goodman Orchestra. Henderson worked for Goodman from …

Having established contact with Benny Goodman, whose all-white band emerged in the mid-thirties, making him the “king of swing,” Henderson started a lasting cooperation, providing …

It was the first time a “White” band had hired a black musician to perform onstage with an orchestra. Goodman used the same arrangements that the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra used.

Over the years Henderson, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, was able to enlist such great musicians as Coleman Hawkins, Kaiser Marshall, Don Redman, and even Louis Armstrong …

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 …