William Randall Henderson (March 19, 1926 – April 3, 2016) was an American television and film actor, and
jazz singer.
Biography
Henderson was born in
Chicago, Illinois. Henderson began his professional music career in 1952, performing in Chicago with
Ramsey Lewis, and began recording as a leader after a move to New York in 1958. He subsequently recorded with jazz pianist
Horace Silver on a vocal version of Silver's "
Señor Blues" which was a jukebox hit (in the mid-1950s), and remains one of jazz label
Blue Note's top-selling singles.[1] Additionally, Henderson performed and recorded with
Oscar Peterson (Bill Henderson with the Oscar Peterson Trio),
Jimmy Smith,
Count Basie,
Yusef Lateef, and
Eddie Harris. He was under contract to the
Vee Jay label between 1958 and 1961, who recorded his first album as leader, Bill Henderson Sings (1958),[1] which features trumpeter
Booker Little among the sidemen.
Beginning in the mid-1970s, he frequently appeared on television in supporting, usually one-time roles. His film roles have followed a similar trend — minor and supporting roles. Henderson also recorded his own vocal tracks as "King Blues" for the comedy film Get Crazy (1983). Henderson made a guest vocal appearance on
Charlie Haden's album The Art of the Song (1999).
Please Send Me Someone To Love (with
Eddie Harris, Eddie Higgins,
Joe Diorio, Rail Wilson, Al Duncan) (Vee-Jay International #3055, 1960-1961 [rel. 1974]; reissued as Collectables #7144, 2000)
Mike Melvoin With Charlie Haden Featuring Bill Henderson, The Capitol Sessions (Naim Audio Ltd, 2000)
Chico Hamilton, Juniflip (featuring Bill Henderson) (Joyous Shout, 2006)
Live At The Kennedy Center (with Ed Vodicka Trio) (Web Only Jazz, 2006)
Beautiful Memory: Bill Henderson Live At The Vic (with Tateng Katindig, Chris Conner,
Roy McCurdy) (Ahuh Productions, 2008)
Compilations
Something's Gotta Give (Discovery #932, 1986) - compilation of Discovery #802 [7 songs], and Discovery #846 [7 songs].
Sings (Best Of) (Suite Beat #2016, 1986) - compilation of Vee-Jay #1015 [6 songs], Vee-Jay #1031 [4 songs], and Vee-Jay International #3055 [4 songs].
His Complete Vee-Jay Recordings, Volume One (Vee-Jay LLP #NVJ2-909, 1993; reissued as Koch Jazz #8548, 2000)
His Complete Vee-Jay Recordings, Volume Two (Vee-Jay LLP #NVJ2-912, 1993; reissued as Koch Jazz #8572, 2000)
Singles
Bill Henderson Sings...with the
Horace Silver Quintet, "Señor Blues"/"Tippin'" (Blue Note, 1958) - note: both released on CD reissue of 6 Pieces of Silver
Bill Henderson Sings...with the Jimmy Smith Trio, "Ain't That Love"/"
Willow Weep for Me" (Blue Note, 1958) - note: both released on CD reissue of Softly as a Summer Breeze
"
Send in the Clowns"/"Send in the Clowns" (12" single [side A: 331⁄3rpm, side B: 45rpm], Discovery/Classic/Jazz Planet, 1996) - from Live At The Times