Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

1919 in Kansas City, MO

Death

:

July 29, 2003 in New York City, NY

 

Luther Henderson was a renowned American composer, arranger, and orchestrator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on March 14, 1919, in Kansas City, Missouri, Henderson grew up in a musical family. His father, Luther Henderson Sr., was a prominent bandleader, and his mother, Ruth Henderson, was a pianist and singer. From a young age, Henderson was exposed to a wide range of musical genres, including jazz, blues, and classical music. Henderson's musical talent was evident from an early age, and he began playing the piano and trumpet at the age of six. He went on to study music at the University of Kansas, where he earned a degree in music education. After graduation, Henderson moved to New York City, where he began his career as a musician. In the 1940s, Henderson worked as a pianist and arranger for a number of jazz bands, including those led by Benny Carter and Fletcher Henderson. He also worked as a staff arranger for the radio station WOR, where he arranged music for a variety of programs, including the popular show "The Shadow." In the 1950s, Henderson began to focus more on classical music, and he became known for his arrangements of works by composers such as George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. He also began to compose his own works, including the ballet "The River," which was commissioned by the American Ballet Theatre in 1954. Henderson's most famous work is his arrangement of "Porgy and Bess," the opera by George Gershwin. Henderson's arrangement, which was first performed in 1959, is considered to be one of the most successful adaptations of a Broadway musical for the concert stage. Henderson's arrangement of "Porgy and Bess" has been performed by orchestras around the world, and it has become a staple of the classical music repertoire. In addition to his work on "Porgy and Bess," Henderson also arranged music for a number of other Broadway shows, including "Funny Girl" and "A Chorus Line." He also worked as an orchestrator for a number of films, including "The Sound of Music" and "West Side Story." Throughout his career, Henderson was recognized for his contributions to the world of classical music. He received numerous awards and honors, including the National Medal of Arts, which he was awarded in 2004. Henderson continued to work as a composer and arranger until his death on July 29, 2003, at the age of 84. In conclusion, Luther Henderson was a talented composer, arranger, and orchestrator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His arrangements of works by George Gershwin and Duke Ellington, as well as his own compositions, have become staples of the classical music repertoire. Henderson's work on "Porgy and Bess" is particularly noteworthy, and his arrangement of the opera has become one of the most successful adaptations of a Broadway musical for the concert stage. Henderson's legacy continues to be felt in the world of classical music, and his contributions to the genre will be remembered for generations to come.

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