Eddie Henderson Quartet
@ the PizzaExpress Jazz Club
13 November 2021

Eddie Henderson biography

Edward Jackson Henderson initially trained to be a doctor before turning his attentions to the trumpet. He studied trumpet in his hometown at the San Francisco Conservatory Of Music. Henderson went on to work with the likes of Tyrone Washington, Joe Henderson and John Handy. Further exploration and recognition was gained while working with the Herbie Hancock Sextet (1970 - 1973). Henderson’s own releases utilised musical electronic advances of the time and leaned towards a more commercial flavour. Hancock’s sextet went there separate ways after financial difficulties, but Henderson was able to fall back on his other trade (medicine), which he practiced on a part-time basis 1975 – 1985. He also teamed up with Mick Nock and Art Blakey to insure some memorable performances. Henderson was still eager to explore, he led a rock-oriented group in the late 1970’s, but returned to playing acoustic hard bop in the 1990’s. He toured with Billy Harper in 1991 while working as a psychiatrist.

Henderson has always placed Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan at the forefront of his many influences. He was fortunate to have been able to practise with Hubbard and Morgan at the beginning of his journey and shared Miles Davis’ love of Ferraris!

Henderson’s continues to release many innovative and memorable recordings. Many of his earlier recordings on vinyl are highly collectable and fetch relatively high prices at fares and specialist outlets.