A Fallen Crusader:  Trombonist Wayne Henderson RIP at 74.

Wayne Henderson, trombonist and co-founding member of the popular jazz-funk band The Jazz Crusaders (later known as The Crusaders), died Friday, April 4, in Culver City, Calif. The cause of death was heart failure, Henderson was 74.

Henderson along with saxophonist Wilton Felder; crafted signature horn charts that made The Jazz Crusaders and The Crusaders unique; trademarking a classic sound that was immediately identifiable, sophisticated and forever memorable.

Wayne Maurice Henderson was born Sept. 24, 1939, in Houston, Texas and began studying trombone in sixth grade. The roots of The Crusaders trace back to 1952, when drummer Stix Hooper and saxophonist/bassist Wilton Felder formed a group in Texas called the Swingsters. Henderson, who was still in his teens, and pianist Joe Sample joined about a year later. Other members, including (for a brief while) flutist Hubert Laws, came and went, and in 1958 the quartet relocated to L.A.

In 1961, they changed their name to The Jazz Crusaders and recorded “Freedom Sound,” the first of sixteen albums for World Pacific Jazz. Subsequent albums were released on Liberty, MoWest a subsidiary of Motown Records and the Chisa labels.

In 1971, they shortened their name to simply The Crusaders and became more funk-oriented with guitarists Freddie Robinson and Arthur Adams. With production guru, Bronx born Stewart Levine producing, they released a strong string of successful recordings on the legendary Blue Thumb Records. They also added the superb guitarist Larry Carlton.

As rock, soul and funk took hold Henderson, the band adapted. The Crusaders became known for covers of Beatles, James Taylor, Carole King and Sly and the Family Stone tunes. Embracing electric keyboard, guitar and bass, The Crusaders evolved to more of a fusion style. Crossover success took them atop of the Billboard charts and opening slots for The Rolling Stones.

In 1975, Henderson left the group to concentrate on producing artists like vibraphonist Roy Ayers and drummer Chico Hamilton. He also worked as a studio musician with Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell and many others.

In later years, he periodically reunited with members of The Crusaders, most recently in October, in London. Around the time of his death, Henderson’s wife said he was working on starting a new group, the Super Blues Crusade.

As an individual artist, Henderson released his first solo albums as a leader in the late sixties “People Get Ready” and “Soul Sound System” followed by several more in the seventies and into the nineties for ABC and Polydor.  There was also a collaborative effort with Roy Ayers. Henderson also moved into production forming his own at-home productions and recording albums for Monk Montgomery, Ronnie Laws, Gabor Szabo and others.

Other artists with which Henderson worked with are Hiroshima, vocalists Patti Austin and Bill Withers, pianist Ramsey Lewis and the immensely popular Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King and The Jackson Five. Henderson and Michael Jackson co-produced Rebbie Jackson’s “Centipede.”

In 2004, Henderson released a Jazz Crusaders album titled “Soul Axcess.” There are two Crusaders collections available; the three CD set “The Golden Years” and the four disc box “Way Back Home.”

For 15 years Bob Putignano has been pivotal at WFDU with his Sounds of Blue radio show: www.SoundsofBlue.com  – Previously a senior contributing editor at BluesWax, Blues Revue, and Goldmine magazines, and Music Editor for the Westchester Guardian. Putignano can be contacted at:  bob8003@yahoo.com