KATHERINE HENDERSON

Biography

Katherine Henderson (June 23, 1909 – September 1, 2002) was an American classic female blues singer born in St. Louis, Missouri. She began performing as a child in minstrel and vaudeville shows, influenced by her musically prominent family—her aunt was singer Eva Taylor and her uncle was the noted jazz pianist and composer Clarence Williams. By the late 1920s, Henderson had moved to New York, where she became active on the city’s vibrant music scene, occasionally substituting for her aunt Eva Taylor on local radio.

Henderson’s recording career peaked in 1927–1928, when she recorded approximately ten sides for Brunswick and QRS Records, often accompanied by Clarence Williams’s Blue Five or his Orchestra. She also starred in Williams’s stage musical 'Bottomland' and appeared in other theatrical revues such as 'Keep Shuffling.' Her vocal style was characterized by a dramatic, sometimes lachrymose delivery that set her apart from her contemporaries. Although her recording output was limited, she continued to perform live until 1944, after which she returned to St. Louis, married, and raised a family.

Despite her relatively brief recording career, Henderson’s work is noted for its connection to the classic blues and vaudeville traditions of the era. Her collaborations and family ties placed her at the heart of the Harlem Renaissance’s musical developments, and her recordings remain a testament to the transitional period between vaudeville, blues, and early jazz.

Fun Facts

• Katherine Henderson was often mistaken as being related to other famous Hendersons in jazz and blues, such as Fletcher Henderson, but she was not.
• She performed in the ill-fated stage musical 'Bottomland,' written by her uncle Clarence Williams, which included the song 'Take Your Black Bottom Dance Outside.'
• Some of her recordings were issued under the name 'Catherine Henderson' on Velvet Tone records.
• After her music career, she returned to St. Louis, married, and had three children, living a relatively private life away from the spotlight.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Eva Taylor - Aunt and early influence; Henderson sometimes substituted for Taylor on radio shows. (Local radio performances, vaudeville acts) [1920s]
• Clarence Williams - Uncle and musical mentor; provided professional guidance and featured her in his bands and stage productions. (Bottomland (stage musical), Clarence Williams's Blue Five and Orchestra recordings) [1920s]

Key Collaborators

• Clarence Williams's Blue Five - Backing band for several recording sessions. (Baltimore / Take Your Black Bottom Dance Outside (1927)) [1927–1928]
• Clarence Williams & His Orchestra - Backing orchestra for multiple recordings. (West End Blues / Saint Louis Blues, Do It Baby / If You Like Me, Lonesome Lovesick Blues / Have You Ever Felt That Way?, What Can You Do Without Me? / Mushy Love) [1928]

Artists Influenced

• No specific documented proteges - While direct influence on later artists is not well-documented, Henderson's recordings are recognized by blues historians as representative of the classic female blues era.

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Do It, Baby (Early Blues Heroes)
2. If You Like Me (Early Blues Heroes)
3. St. Louis Blues (Early Blues Heroes)
4. West End Blues (Early Blues Heroes)
5. Mushy Love (Early Blues Heroes)
6. Have You Ever Felt That Way? (Early Blues Heroes)
7. Do It Baby (Clarence Williams' Q.R.S. Recordings, Vol. 2)
8. Mushy Love (Clarence Williams' Q.R.S. Recordings, Vol. 2)
9. If You Like Me (Clarence Williams' Q.R.S. Recordings, Vol. 2)
10. If You Like Me - Take 2 (Clarence Williams' Q.R.S. Recordings, Vol. 2)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia