Joe Henderson was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, born on April 24, 1937, in Lima, Ohio. His career spanned more than four decades during which he emerged as a prominent figure in the jazz community, renowned for his deep, lyrical, and complex playing style which blended elements of hard bop, modal jazz, and avant-garde. After starting his professional career in the early 1960s, Henderson quickly became known for his work with leading jazz figures, including Kenny Dorham, Horace Silver, and the Jazz Messengers.

Among his vast discography, Henderson's releases like "Inner Urge" and "In 'N Out" (both getting The Rudy Van Gelder Edition makeover) are considered jazz classics and showcase his exceptional improvisational skills and compositional prowess. His album "The Definitive Joe Henderson" is a testament to his enduring legacy, highlighting his versatility as a player capable of navigating complex chords and rhythms with ease. His latter works, such as the ambitious "Porgy And Bess" adaptation and "Big Band," illustrate his ability to adapt to and excel in large ensemble settings, while his tender side is on display in ballad collections like "Quiet Now: Lovesome Things." His explorations into blending different shades of the African-American experience, as seen in "In Pursuit Of Blackness/Black Is The Color," further reflect his depth as an artist. Joe Henderson continued to influence musicians and earn critical acclaim until his passing on June 30, 2001, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of jazz music.

Genres

Bebop

Contemporary Post-bop

Hard Bop

Jazz

Jazz Saxophone

Related Artists

Herbie Hancock

McCoy Tyner

John Coltrane

Wayne Shorter

Lee Morgan

Freddie Hubbard

Sonny Rollins

Kenny Dorham

Hank Mobley

Dexter Gordon

Miles Davis

Art Blakey

Latest Release

We’ll Be Together Again (Live)

McCoy Tyner•

Joe Henderson

Single - Released November 1, 2024