Fletcher Henderson
Day 57
#82 – James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. (1897–1952). American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. Often known as ‘Smack’ Henderson. Recordings include: Gin House Blues (1925), Sugar Foot Stomp (1925) and Tidal Wave (1930).
By the 1920s and 1930s there were many top black musicians who had passed through Henderson’s orchestra. I started by listing these and noticed ‘etc’ in the middle of his name which worked well at the end of the list, but this wasn’t particularly distinctive. Researching his biography, I came across the fact that Henderson had a degree in mathematics and chemistry. Putting the plus sign into the ‘H’ of Henderson helped. Twisting his name and then adding the names beside the plus sign looked strong.
2 hours
Listen...
to excerpt from ‘Sugar Foot Stomp.’