Wayne Henderson

Faculty Liaison

Wayne Henderson is a soul-jazz/hard bop trombonist and record producer. In 1961, he co-founded the legendary group The Jazz Crusaders, a pioneering fusion group who released many smash hit recordings which used elements of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, Latin, gospel, and rock to create a unique musical language. In the 1970s, The Crusaders were joined by virtuoso guitarist Larry Carlton, who further augmented the group's tremendous sound.

In 1975, Mr. Henderson began producing records for other artists, and in his diverse performing and recording career he has had the good fortune of working with such notable acts as Patti Austin, Bill Withers, Ronnie Laws, Steely Dan, Phillip Ingram, Nathan East, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King, The Jackson Five, Hiroshima, Hugh Masekela, Joni Mitchell, Wilton Felder, George Benson, Diana Ross, Poncho Sanchez, Joe Cocker, Michael Jackson, Roy Ayers, Sergio Mendez and Tina Turner, among others.

From the 1980s on, rap and hip-hop artists showed their respect for the Jazz Crusaders by making them one of the most sampled jazz fusion groups. Always keeping an open mind and ear to new sounds and ideas, Henderson has said that in rap music, "the spoken word can sometimes, because of its serious nature, be more effective than words that are sung."

Henderson, who currently resides in Los Angeles , focuses on developing the emerging young generation of musicians and singers: "I feel that musical styles require a stretching of the boundaries of traditional sounds, just as it was for Miles, Coltrane, Parker, Blakey, and Ellington. Their innovations were updated versions of previous musical forms, but with their own twists and flavors. I believe in new talents who will continue to establish trends and set new tones for music."