b. Wayne Maurice Henderson, 24th September 1939, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
d. 5th April 2014, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Wayne Henderson joined with Wilton Felder in the Jazz Crusaders providing the group its own sound.
A fine soloist who later in his career chose to become an R & B producer instead, Wayne first played regularly with Felder, Joe Sample and Stix Hooper in Houston in the mid-'50s.
By the time they moved to Los Angeles and started recording in 1961 they were known as the Jazz Crusaders.
people get ready - 1967 / soul sound system - 1968 / big daddy's place - 1977 / living on a dream - 1978
After many records for Pacific Jazz, the group in 1971 changed their name to the Crusaders.
With Wayne's decision to quit the band in 1975, the Crusaders lost a great deal of their originality.
In 1977, Wayne released 'Big Daddy's Place', which contained the much sought after 'I'm Saying Forever' and 'Daddy Bug'.
1978 bought 'Living On A Dream' containing 'Hot Stuff' followed in 1979 by 'Emphasized' which contained the popular vocal track 'Dancing Love Affair'.
step into our life - 1978 / prime time - 1980
During this period Wayne also recorded two duet LP's with the vibraphonist Roy Ayers.
It was at this time he launched his At Home Productions label and went on to feature the artists, The L.A. Boppers, David Oliver, Ronnie Laws, Bobby Lyle, Side Effect, Pleasure, Gabor Szabo, Arthur Adams, Michael White, Hilary, Smoke, Chico Hamilton, Ramsey Lewis, Allspice and Narada Michael Walden.
In the Eighties, his At Home label folded although he still continued to produce artists including The McCrary's ('Love On A Summer Night'), Mary Wells ('My Guy' update), Rebbie Jackson, Hiroshima and Lawrence Hilton Jacobs.
emphasized - 1979 / soul axess - 2004
He continued to work alongside Ronnie Laws throughout this period.
In the mid-'90s Wayne and Wilton Felder teamed up again, recording on the Par label.
Wayne Henderson died in Los Angeles, California on the 5th of April 2014 at the age of 74.
Albums:
People Get Ready (Atlantic Records 1967)
Soul Sound System (Atlantic Records 1969)
Big Daddy's Place (ABC [Import] Records 1977)
Living On A Dream (Polydor Records 1978)
Step Into Your Life (Polydor Records 1978)
Emphasized (Polydor Records 1979)
Back To The Groove (Par Records 1992)
Sketches Of Life (Par Records 1993)
Soul Axess (True Life Jazz Records 2004)
