Jazz great Eddie Henderson makes
first visit to NIU campus

Jazz great and Sony/Columbia recording artist Eddie Henderson will make his first visit to NIU to perform with internationally known NIU Jazz Ensemble.

The campus concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, November 4, in the Duke Ellington Ballroom. The concert is free and open to all.

Mr. Henderson will be the special guest with the Jazz Ensemble for an entire week during their Fall Jazz Tour, scheduled for Nov. 2 to 10. The trumpet great will be featured on selections from his new CD release “So What”(tribute to Miles Davis).

Born in New York City on Oct. 26, 1940, Henderson began trumpet studies at age 10. His family was very artistic: his father sang with the Charioteers, and his mother danced at the Cotton Club in Harlem.

After three years in the Air force, Henderson enrolled in U.C. Berkeley, graduating with a degree in zoology in 1964. He then studied medicine at Howard University in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1968. Though he completed his residency in psychiatry, he only practiced general medicine. During this period, he performed with Joe Henderson, John Handy, Big Black and Philly Joe Jones.

His first major musical exposure came during 1970-73, as a member of the Herbie Hancock’s Sextet. This ensemble included Bennie Maupin, Julian Priester, Buster Williams and Billy Hart.

After leaving Hancock, the trumpeter worked exclusively with Pharoah Sanders, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Norman Connors and Latin jazz-group Azteca. Henderson has recorded three albums for Bluenote: “Sunburst,” “Heritage” and “Comin’ Through.” He also recorded “Inspiration” on the Milestone label, and three albums with Steeplechase.

Call 753-1546 for more information.

11-1-04