born Dec. 18, 1898, Cuthbert, Ga., U.S.
died Dec. 29, 1952, New York, N.Y.
U.S. pianist, arranger, and leader of one of the most influential big bands in jazz .
Henderson formed a dance band in New York in 1923. The band soon distinguished itself in two ways: the engagement of Benny Goodman in the late 1930s and provided a template for much of the music of the {{link=swing">swing era.