Fletcher Henderson

by Bob Powers

G21 Music Writer

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Bob Powers

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The distinguished bandleader and arranger Fletcher Henderson was born in 1897. By the 1920s, Henderson led perhaps the most interesting band in jazz. Influenced, as was nearly everyone, by Louis Armstrong, Henderson finally turned out to be known as the brilliant arranger for Benny Goodman's band. His own band had faded in the 1930s and by the end of that decade was a mere shadow of itself, as one observer wrote.

Meanwhile, Henderson hooked up with Goodman around 1935. It was to be the most intriguing collaboration of the era. As talented as Goodman was, one questions if his tremendous success with a band could have occurred without the help of Henderson. These arraignments, 17 in number, prove the aptitude of Henderson and demonstrate the theory that each man benefited from the presence of the other.

Enough of the history lesson.

The recent discovery of a batch of Henderson arraignments for the Goodman band should thrill every aficionado, whether in the Goodman camp or a die-hard addict of Goodman. Arbors Records (bless their collective souls) has just released one of the most inviting albums of year 2000. For anyone even slightly interested in big band music, a trip to the local music emporium seems imperative.

"Bob Wilbur and the Tuxedo Big Band: Fletcher Henderson's Unrecorded Arraignments For Benny Goodman" may well be the longest title you'll encounter for awhile. Bob Wilbur, for the uninitiated, is a hugely talented master of the clarinet and the soprano sax. Long ago he played in the band led by Sidney Bechet, who gained the consensus as the best soprano player ever. He once played in Goodman's band, then joined The Worlds Greatest Jazz Band in 1969.

In 1984, Wilbur was amazed to find a stack of unrecorded arraignments in Lincoln Center, New York, after receiving permission from Goodman to look at the material. "They were written in a very precise beautiful hand," he recalls. "In a way they reminded me of Mozart's scores. They were absolutely meticulous, with no signs of erasures or changes."

It took years to go through the music, Wilbur reports. "I was looking for a big band that was an organized group that could capture the spirit of the music."

Wilbur struck gold when he came across the Tuxedo Big Band from Toulouse, France. Paul Cheron, who plays saxophone and clarinet founded the group in 1990. He admits being fascinated by the music of bands led by Jimmy Lunceford, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Goodman, and others.

The album should please anyone who has heard a Goodman band, either in person or on records. Wilbur captures the style of Goodman, while having the good sense to give something of himself. The band, meanwhile, simply kicks butt.

The song selection ranges from hits from the 30s and includes novelty tunes that were in vogue in the late 30s and into the 40s. Familiar songs include "Out of Nowhere," "Poor Butterfly," "Thou Swell," "She's Funny That Way," "Sweet Lorraine" and "S'posin.'"

The package includes excellent notes by Ross Firestone and there's a reproduction of one of Henderson's arraignments.

As Firestone writes, its rare that the release of an album can be labeled an event. This one certainly qualifies.

Harvey Reid's Voyages

Guitarist Harvey Reid has just released his 14th album on the Woodpecker Records label. It's his first solo guitar project since 1989. The album offers 66 minutes of music, with Reid performing 11 new compositions, as well as four arraignments of traditional songs.

Difficult to categorize, Reid offers a range of music here, melding Celtic and classical sounds mixed with bits of the blues, gospel, folk, and bluegrass. If you like the sound of a well-played guitar, acquire a copy of "Guitar Voyages."

Alexander's Band

Put in the right hands, the sound of a jazz tenor saxophone can make one cry, laugh, and marvel at the talent required to achieve that pretty perfect sound. Eric Alexander may well be the next star to explore as his music finds an audience. In "The First Milestone" (Milestone Records), Alexander offers a balanced program of eight tunes.

With a winning combination of players backing him, Alexander shows evidence that he's left the regulars behind and is ready to join the Big Guys on tenor. Its an exciting journey, and this album should aid in his march to fame.

Leon Hits Homer

British folk legend Leon Rosselson brings his act to U.S. shores in October, with bookings in the state of Washington, Oregon, California, and New York. He'll also perform in British Columbia and in Toronto.

With "Harry's Gone Fishing," the delightful Rosselson is in full flower. Despite having been entertaining the world for nearly four decades, Rosselson still keeps his wicked sense of humor, using his songs to make points, but also to gloriously entertain.

As a songwriter, Rosselson is as good as it gets in this corner of the music business. Lets give a loud hooray for the inimitable Leon Rosselson.

Gadfly Records, the excellent record company in Burlington, VT, will have "Harry's Gone Fishing" on the shelves come Sept. 12. Patronize your favorite retailer then!

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