Biography
Joe Henderson (April 24, 1937 – June 30, 2001) was an influential American jazz tenor saxophonist whose career spanned over four decades. Born in Lima, Ohio, Henderson grew up in a large family and began his musical journey on drums before switching to tenor saxophone at age 13. He studied at Kentucky State College and Wayne State University in Detroit, where he became deeply involved in the local jazz scene, arranging for bands and playing with future jazz luminaries. After a stint in the Army (1960–1962), where he played in the Army band, Henderson moved to New York City and quickly established himself as a leading voice in jazz.
Henderson's debut as a leader, 'Page One' (1963), was a landmark Blue Note release and set the stage for a prolific recording career both as a leader and sideman. He became known for his technical mastery, unique tone, and versatility, moving fluidly between hard bop, bebop, free jazz, and fusion. Henderson collaborated with major figures like Horace Silver, Kenny Dorham, Herbie Hancock, and Lee Morgan, contributing to classic albums such as Silver’s 'Song for My Father' and Morgan’s 'The Sidewinder.' In the 1970s and 1980s, he recorded extensively for Milestone and later experienced a resurgence in the 1990s with acclaimed Verve albums that reinterpreted the works of Billy Strayhorn, Miles Davis, and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Henderson’s legacy is marked by his innovative improvisational style, compositional skill, and lasting influence on generations of saxophonists. His sound, shaped by the influences of Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, was both aggressive and lyrical, and he was celebrated for his ability to blend tradition with modernity. Even after suffering a stroke in 1998, his recordings and arrangements continued to inspire jazz musicians worldwide.
Fun Facts
- Henderson was one of 15 children in his family and began arranging for bands while still in high school.
- He played a seminal solo on Horace Silver’s hit 'Song for My Father,' which became one of the most recognizable saxophone solos in jazz.
- Henderson briefly joined the pop band Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1971 before returning to jazz.
- His 1990s Verve albums, including 'Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn,' won multiple Grammy Awards and revitalized his career late in life.
Associated Acts
- Blood, Sweat & Tears - tenor saxophone (1972–1972)
- The Joe Henderson Quintet
- Joe Henderson Sextet - original, tenor saxophone
- Joe Henderson Double Rainbow Brazil Quintet - original, tenor saxophone
- McCoy Tyner Quartet - tenor saxophone
- Echoes of an Era - original, saxophone
- Frank Morgan All Stars - tenor saxophone
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Barry Harris - Private teacher and mentor during Detroit years; helped develop Henderson’s improvisational skills. (Private study, Detroit jazz scene collaborations) [Late 1950s]
- Larry Teal - Saxophone and composition teacher at Wayne State University’s Teal School of Music. (Formal study at Wayne State) [1956–1960]
- Sonny Rollins - Stylistic influence; Henderson fused Rollins’ approach with his own style. (Influence evident throughout Henderson’s career) [1960s onward]
- John Coltrane - Major stylistic influence, especially in modal and free jazz approaches. (Influence on improvisational style) [1960s onward]
Key Collaborators
- Kenny Dorham - Frequent collaborator; co-led bands and recorded together. (Page One, Una Mas, Trompeta Toccata) [1962–1964]
- Horace Silver - Band member; recorded and toured together. (Song for My Father, The Cape Verdean Blues) [1964–1966]
- Herbie Hancock - Member of Hancock’s Sextet and recorded together. (The Prisoner, Sextet recordings) [1969–1970]
- Lee Morgan - Sideman on classic Blue Note sessions. (The Sidewinder) [1963–1964]
- Andrew Hill - Collaborated on avant-garde Blue Note albums. (Black Fire, Point of Departure) [1963–1964]
- Freddie Hubbard - Cooperative band Jazz Communicators and other collaborations. (Jazz Communicators, various recordings) [Late 1960s]
Artists Influenced
- Joshua Redman - Cites Henderson as a major influence on his saxophone sound and approach. (Redman’s Blue Note and Warner Bros. albums) [1990s–present]
- Mark Turner - Influenced by Henderson’s harmonic language and improvisational style. (Mark Turner Quartet, Fly) [1990s–present]
- Chris Potter - Acknowledges Henderson’s impact on modern tenor saxophone playing. (Multiple solo and sideman projects) [1990s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Page One | 1963-10-01 | Album |
| Double Rainbow | 1995-03-02 | Album |
| Inner Urge (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition) | 1966-03-01 | Album |
| Tetragon | 1968 | Album |
| The Elements | 1974-01-01 | Album |
| Power To The People [Keepnews Collection] (Remastered) | 1969 | Album |
| The Standard Joe | 1991 | Album |
| Multiple (Remastered 2025) | 2025-03-07 | Album |
| Ballads | 1997-07-01 | Album |
| Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn | 1992-02-18 | Album |
| Forces of Nature: Live at Slugs' | 2024-11-22 | Album |
| In 'n Out (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition) | 1965-01-01 | Album |
| Mode For Joe (Rudy Van Gelder Edition) | 1966-09-01 | Album |
| Power To The People (Remastered 2024) | 2024-03-15 | Album |
| Big Band | 1996-10-16 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Blue Bossa - Remastered (Page One)
- Felicidade (Double Rainbow)
- Inner Urge - Remastered 2004/Rudy Van Gelder Edition (Inner Urge (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition))
- Recorda Me (Page One)
- Tetragon (Tetragon)
- Earth (The Elements)
- Round Midnight (The Standard Joe)
- Black Narcissus (Power To The People [Keepnews Collection] (Remastered))
- Lazy Afternoon (Ballads)
- La Mesha (Page One)
External Links
Tags: #avant-garde-jazz, #hard-bop, #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
Joe Henderson has been played 9 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 6, 2026 | 16:25 | Blue Bossafrom In Japan | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ T.R. Johnson | |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 16:07 | all things consideredfrom canton lady | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón | |
| Dec 17, 2025 | 18:33 | caribbean fire dancefrom mode for joe | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón | |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 17:06 | Swing Springfrom So Near, So Far | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Keith Hill | |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 07:49 | Afro-Centricfrom Power To The People | The Morning Setw/ Scott Borne | |
| Nov 19, 2025 | 18:52 | tres palabrasfrom canyon lady | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón | |
| Nov 13, 2025 | 16:34 | Blue Bossafrom Page One | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Keith Hill | |
| Oct 8, 2025 | 16:34 | tres palabrasfrom canyon lady | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón | |
| Sep 29, 2025 | 23:41 | I Wanna Know | Kitchen Sinkw/ Derrick Freeman |