Fletcher Henderson - Ken Burns Jazz

With cooperation from the Verve and Columbia Legacy catalogs, the Ken Burns Jazz series on CD individually spotlights the musical excellence of 22 jazz originators whose careers and influence are explored in Burns' PBS documentary Jazz. Bandleader Fletcher Henderson's ability as a composer and talent scout greatly outweighed his skills as either a pianist or showman. Henderson allowed his musicians to show off their own talents, while he preferred to stay in the background. A number of soon-to-be legends moved through his ranks over the years, including Don Redman, Benny Carter, Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Art Blakey, Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Rex Stewart, and even Sun Ra. This is also the band that led the initial swing craze, influencing many followers (especially Benny Goodman). On Ken Burns Jazz, Henderson's output for a number of labels is represented in chronological order from 1924 through 1940; classics on the CD include "Big John's Special," "King Porter Stomp," "Queer Notions," "The Chant," and "Christopher Columbus." While it's impossible to sum up the history of Fletcher Henderson on a single disc, the highlights on Ken Burns Jazz retain enough interest for the listener to continue searching out more material. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adam Block Project Manager Adam Owett Art Direction Ben Young Discographical Information Benny Carter Sax (Alto), Clarinet Benny Morton Trombone Bernard Addison Guitar Big Sid Catlett Drums Bob Lessey Guitar Bobby Stark Trumpet Brian Priestley Liner Notes Bryan Koniarz Project Manager Buster Bailey Clarinet Carlos Kase Discographical Information Charlie Dixon Banjo Charlie Green Trombone Chu Berry Sax (Tenor) Clare Walker Packaging Manager Clarence Holiday Guitar Claude Jones Trombone Coleman Hawkins Sax (Bass), Sax (Tenor) Darcy Proper Mastering Darren Salmieri Coordination Dick Robertson Vocals Dick Vance Trumpet Dicky Wells Trombone Didier C. Deutsch Discographical Information, Coordination Don Pasquall Sax (Alto), Clarinet Don Redman Clarinet, Oboe, Arranger, Sax (Alto) Ed Cuffee Trombone Edgar Sampson Sax (Alto), Violin Elmer Chambers Cornet Elmer James Bass Elmer Williams Sax (Tenor) Fats Waller Organ Fernando Arbello Trombone Fletcher Henderson Piano George "Scoops" Carry Sax (Alto) Harry Coster Restoration Harvey Boone Sax (Alto) Henry "Red" Allen Trombone Hilton Jefferson Sax (Alto) Hollis King Art Direction Horace Henderson Piano, Arranger Howard Fritzson Art Direction Howard Scott Cornet Israel Crosby Bass Jeff Jones Executive Producer Jeffrey Peisch Photo Research, Project Director Jimmy Harrison Trombone Joe "Fox" Smith Trumpet Joe Thomas Trumpet John Christiana Packaging Manager John Kirby Tuba Joseph "Kaiser" Marshall Drums June Cole Tuba Ken Burns Compilation Producer, Executive Producer Ken Druker Project Manager Kristin Kozusko Coordination Lauren Atlas Packaging Manager Lawrence Lucie Guitar Louis Armstrong Cornet Michael Brooks Compilation Producer Mike Charlasch Project Director Nate Herr Project Manager Nathan Savage Design Patti Matheny Coordination Peter Keepnews Editing Ralph Escudero Tuba Rex Stewart Cornet Ron Goldstein Executive Producer Roy Eldridge Trumpet Russell Procope Sax (Alto), Clarinet Russell Smith Trumpet Sarah Botstein Project Director Seth Rothstein Project Director Teddy Nixon Trombone Tommy Ladnier Trumpet Victoria Gohl Photo Research Walter Johnson Drums