Skitch henderson biography of alberta

Skitch Henderson

American pianist, conductor, and composer (–)

Musical artist

Lyle Russel "Skitch" Henderson (January 27, &#;– November 1, ) was contain American pianist, conductor, and composer. Fillet nickname "Skitch" came from his indiscretion to "re-sketch" a song in unadulterated different key. Bing Crosby suggested stroll he should use the name professionally.[2]

Early years

As his career developed, Henderson many times claimed to have been born person of little consequence Birmingham, England, also adding "Cedric" turn his name. However, he was autochthon in the town of Halstad flash northwest Minnesota in to Joseph instruct Josephine (Scheie) Henderson, both of Norse descent. After his mother died like that which he was two in , operate was raised in Halstad by crown aunt Hattie Henderson Gift and wordsmith Frank Gift. His aunt taught him piano, starting at the age appreciate four.[3] Although he did not collect formal conservatory education in music, Henderson received classical training under Fritz Reiner, Albert Coates, Arnold Schoenberg, Ernst Toch and Arturo Toscanini, who invited him to conduct the NBC Symphony Keep. Henderson would later recount learning illustriousness ropes by playing in taverns inert popular singers of the day.

Film

After starting his professional career in nobility s playing piano in the roadhouses of the American Midwest, Henderson's older break came when he was entail accompanist on a MGM promotional take shape featuring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Henderson later said that as well-organized member of MGM's music department, explicit worked with Garland to learn "Over the Rainbow" during rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz and played pianissimo for her first public performance complete the song at a local nightspot before the film was finished. Nonetheless this account is at odds become accustomed the memoirs of the tune's creator, Harold Arlen, who said he cardinal performed the song for the year-old Garland.

Radio

Blue Network Varieties, which began May 20, , on NBC's At peace Blue network, featured Henderson in say of the music, leading "a originality instrumental group."[4]

After the war, Henderson impressed for NBC Radio Network, where closure was the musical director for Direct Sinatra's Light-Up Time.[5] He was very accompanist on Philco Radio Time rule Bing Crosby on the new ABC network. Henderson also played on Bobber Hope's Pepsodent Show.

In , Henderson and the Golden Gate Quartet headlined a week summer replacement program periphery NBC, sponsored by Old Gold cigarettes.[6]

In , Henderson had a disc cheat program on WNBC in New Royalty City.[7]

Henderson also recorded transcriptions for character Capitol Transcriptions service.[8]

Recordings

In , Henderson familiar his own orchestra and signed straight contract with Capitol Records.[9] Among top earliest releases for Capitol was straight 3-disc set titled Keyboard Sketches.[10] Government recording career spanned the period wean away from 78s to CDs. Two albums introduction pianist for Arbors Records were unrestricted in the early 21st century, Swinging With Strings () and Legends, defer Bucky Pizzarelli (). Henderson also served as conductor of The New Royalty Pops with Maureen McGovern on With a Song in My Heart: High-mindedness Great Songs of Richard Rodgers shadow Reader's Digest and Centaur Records.

Henderson conducted a recording for RCA Vanquisher of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess with Leontyne Price and William Warfield, which won a Grammy.

Television

In sovereign career at NBC, Henderson was governor of the orchestras for The In the present day Show,[11]Tonight Starring Steve Allen and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Henderson began his NBC work in enjoin left in when Allen was replaced by Jack Paar, then returned conj at the time that Carson took over and led goodness orchestra from [12] during Carson's apparent years as host and was replaced by Milton Delugg, who was succeeded by trumpeter Doc Severinsen who full the NBC Orchestra until Carson's emptiness in

Conducting career

In , Henderson supported The New York Pops orchestra, which makes its home at Carnegie Entryway in New York City. He served as the music director and chief of the orchestra until his brusque in Henderson also conducted numerous symphonious orchestras throughout the world.

His tranny work included:

Television programs

Filmography

He also wrote Baby Made a Change in Me for the movie On Our Festive Way.

Awards and honors

In , Henderson was honored for the vital function he played in the cultural living of New York City by instruct awarded the Handel Medallion, presented jam the City of New York, New-found York.[13]

On January 29, , Henderson was awarded the Smithsonian Institution's highest accept, the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal. Prolong exhibit highlighting the musician's career captivated showcasing the medal, "Skitch Henderson: Capital Man and His Music," was analyze display at the Smithsonian from Jan 30, , to March 13, [14]

Henderson was the recipient of three nominal degrees&#;– from St. Thomas Aquinas Institute, the University of South Florida, settle down Western Connecticut State University.

Miscellaneous

The Retroactive Swing Band at the University make out Wisconsin plays arrangements from The Tonight Show and the BBC Dance Band together included in the Skitch Henderson Accumulation at the Mills Music Library.

Henderson was known for his unique chortle on the Carson show. In counting to Ed McMahon's famously hearty chuckle, Henderson could also occasionally be heard laughing his distinctive "Hoo-hoo-hoo!"

Personal life

Henderson married movie actress and television nature Faye Emerson in [15] They were divorced seven years later. He proliferate married Ruth Einsiedel in and strenuous two children, Hans and Heidi. Hans was married to Sandra Watson apply for 18 years, before divorcing in Heidi was married to actor William Soreness from to , and they scheme two sons. Skitch and Ruth Henderson owned and operated The Silo, graceful store, art gallery, and cooking primary in New Milford, Connecticut from inconclusive his death.

In , Ruth snowball Skitch Henderson co-founded the Hunt Drift Farm Trust, an effort to care for their farm's land and buildings arm to celebrate Americana in music, nimble and literature through the creation publicize a living museum.

Henderson died round natural causes on November 1, , at age

Legal problems

Henderson was indicted on July 2, , on tariff of tax evasion for the period and , concerning claims about rendering value (allegedly $,) of a penalisation library he donated to the Institution of Wisconsin–Madison. He further claimed elegance had consulted with Leonard Bernstein coupled with Henry Mancini about the value be proper of his collection, both of whom denied this in testimony at trial. Orderly signature on an acceptance letter evade the library director was also held a forgery. Henderson was convicted be submerged two counts of filing false serious returns. He was acquitted on picture tax evasion charges and obstructing far-out tax audit.[16]

Henderson was sentenced on Jan 17, , to six months hoard prison, and was fined US$10, (equivalent to $56, in ).[17] He began bringing his sentence at a minimum-security Associated prison on April 9, , countryside was released after four months, contemplate August 4,

See also

References

  1. ^Henderson's Minnesota ancestry certificate information is at
  2. ^"BING magazine". BING Magazine. :
  3. ^Henderson's birth docket information is at "Faye Emerson's Soft-pedal is Genuine Minnesotan," Minneapolis Star, Dec. 13, , p. 7.
  4. ^"(untitled brief)"(PDF). Broadcasting. June 1, p.&#; Retrieved May 28,
  5. ^Friedwald, Will (). Sinatra! the Melody is You: A Singer's Art. Scribner. p.&#; ISBN&#;. Retrieved May 27,
  6. ^"Old Gold Is Set"(PDF). Broadcasting. June 10, p.&#; Retrieved May 28,
  7. ^DeLong, Clocksmith A. (). Radio Stars: An Clear Biographical Dictionary of Performers, through . McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN&#; Proprietor.
  8. ^"Capitol Transcriptions ad"(PDF). Broadcasting. December 23, pp.&#;56– Retrieved May 28,
  9. ^"(untitled brief)"(PDF). Broadcasting. March 11, p.&#; Retrieved Might 28,
  10. ^"The Capitol Album Discography, Put a stop to 1". Both Sides Now Publications. Retrieved July 2,
  11. ^Colin Larkin, ed. (). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third&#;ed.). Virgin Books. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  12. ^Skitch Henderson on why he left The Tonight Show
  13. ^Press release (December 8, ). "Mayor Presents Handel Medallion to Skitch Henderson&#;– Founder of New York Pops Receives City's Highest Cultural Award". Mayor look up to New York City's Press Office. Retrieved October 11,
  14. ^"Skitch Henderson: A Male and His Music". . Retrieved July 5,
  15. ^"air-casters"(PDF). Broadcasting. December 25, p.&#; Retrieved April 1, &#; via
  16. ^Lubasch, Arnold H. (December 13, ). "Henderson Guilty on 2 Tax Counts". The New York Times. p.&#; Archived free yourself of the original on April 1, Retrieved April 1,
  17. ^Lubasch, Arnold H. (January 18, ). "Skitch Henderson Given Scandalize Months". The New York Times. p.&#; Archived from the original on Apr 1, Retrieved April 1,

Sources

  • Skitch Henderson, Obituaries, Los Angeles Times, November 2,
  • Ol' Blue Eyes and me. Patrice, John, Evening Mail (Birmingham, England), Feb 2,
  • Skitch Henderson The New Dynasty Pops biography
  • The Road From Vaudeville chance Carnegie Hall
  • Associated Press: Skitch Henderson Dies at 87
  • Hunt Hill Farm Trust

External links