Michael Henderson
Michael Henderson | |
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Henderson singing at Sunset Junction Festival in Los Angeles, California | |
Background information | |
Born | United States | July 7, 1951
Genres | R&B, jazz, funk, soul, pop |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, record producer, arranger |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, bass, guitar, saxophone |
Years active | 1970–present |
Labels | Buddah Records, Arista, EMI-Capitol |
Michael Henderson (born July 7, 1951)[1] is an American bass guitarist and vocalist best known for his bass playing with Miles Davis in the early 1970s, on early fusion albums such as Jack Johnson, Live-Evil, and Agharta, as well as series of R&B/soul hits, particularly the Norman Connors produced hit, You Are My Starship[2] in 1976 and other songs in the mid to late 1970s.
Biography
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He was one of the first notable bass guitarists of the fusion era as well as being one of the most influential jazz and soul musicians of the past 40 years. In addition to Davis, he has played and recorded with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, the Dramatics, Doctor John, among many others. Henderson was one of the bass guitarists based in Detroit, along with Bob Babbitt and his primary influence, James Jamerson.
Before working with Davis, Henderson had been touring with Stevie Wonder, whom he met at the Regal Theater in Chicago while warming up for a gig. Davis saw the young Henderson performing at the Copacabana in New York City in early 1970 and reportedly said to Wonder simply "I’m taking your fucking bassist."[3] After almost seven years with Davis, Henderson focused on songwriting and singing in a solo career that produced many hit songs and albums for Buddah Records until his retirement in 1986. Although known primarily for ballads, he was an influential funk player whose riffs and songs have been widely covered. His solo recordings have sold well over one million albums.[citation needed] A track titled "Wide Receiver" on an album of the same name is highly favored by breakdancers. The album, along with others, was reissued in 2015. He is also known for his ballad vocalizing on several Norman Connors hit recordings, including "You Are My Starship" and "Valentine Love", performed with Jean Carn.
Influence
Many of his bass riffs have been imitated by players seeking the fat, deep grooves of the Motown sound. His bass riffs, from such hits as "Valentine Love" and "You Are My Starship", have been sampled by the likes of Snoop Dogg and L.L. Cool J, and his songs have been sampled and/or covered by Jay-Z (American Gangster (album)), Eminem (for 8 Mile), and projects by Notorious BIG, Rick James, Wayman Tisdale and Sugar Ray, among others.[citation needed]
He currently lives in the US and plays shows intermittently, performing his solo material as well as that of other Motown and soul musicians. He has also played reunion concerts with other former members of the Davis electric bands.
Discography
As leader
- 1976: Solid (Buddah)
- 1977: Goin' Places (Buddah)
- 1978: In The Night Time (Buddah)
- 1979: Do It All (Buddah)
- 1980: Wide Receiver (Buddah)
- 1981: Slingshot (Buddah)
- 1983: Fickle (Buddah)
- 1986: Bedtime Stores (EMI Records)
With Miles Davis
- The Cellar Door Sessions (1970)
- A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1971)
- Live-Evil (1971)
- On the Corner (1972)
- In Concert: Live at Philharmonic Hall (1973)
- Big Fun (1974)
- Get Up with It (1974)
- Agharta (1976)
- Pangaea (1975)
- Dark Magus (1977)
- The Complete Jack Johnson Sessions (Columbia Legacy, 2003)
- The Complete On the Corner Sessions (Columbia Legacy, 2007)
- Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4 (Columbia Legacy, 2015)
References
- ^ McCall, Michael (1997). Erlewine, Michael; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; et al. (eds.). "Michael Henderson". All Music Guide to Country: the Experts' Guide to the Best Recordings in Country Music. AMG All Music Guides. Hal Leonard Corporation: 88, 208. ISBN 9780879304751. 0879304758. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Jung, Fred. "A Fireside Chat With Michael Henderson." Allthatjazz.com, December 51, 2003. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
External links
- Funk: United States
- Running the Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis - Philip Freeman, Miles Davis, p. 127 - Google Books
- Ebony, p. 68 - Google Books
- The Last Miles: The Music of Miles Davis, 1980-1991 - George Cole, p. 34 - Google Books
- Ebony, p. 64 - Google Books
- All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul, p. 310 - Google Books
- Use dmy dates from July 2013
- Living people
- 1951 births
- African-American male singers
- American male singers
- American blues singers
- American funk bass guitarists
- American male bass guitarists
- American jazz bass guitarists
- American rhythm and blues bass guitarists
- Ballad musicians
- Singers from Mississippi
- Guitarists from Mississippi
- 20th-century American bass guitarists
- Jazz musicians from Mississippi
- 20th-century American male musicians
- Male jazz musicians
- The Lucky Strikes members