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Michael Henderson (born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, 7 July 1951) is an American bass guitarist and vocalist best known for his bass playing with Miles Davis in the early 1970s, on early fusion albums such as A Tribute to Jack Johnson, Pangaea, and Live-Evil.

Biography

He was one of the first notable bass guitarists of the fusion era as well as being one of the most influential jazz and soul musicians of the past 40 years. In addition to Davis, he has played and recorded with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, the Dramatics, Doctor John and many other famous artists. He is considered to be one of the three greatest Motown bass guitarists, along with Bob Babbitt and his primary influence, James Jamerson.

Before working with Davis, Henderson had been touring with Stevie Wonder, whom he met at the Regal Theater in Chicago while warming up for a gig. Davis saw the young Henderson performing at the Copacabana in New York City in early 1970 and reportedly said to Wonder simply "I'm takin' your bass player."^{[citation needed]}

After almost seven years with Davis, Henderson focused on songwriting and singing in a solo career that produced many hit songs and albums for Arista Records until his retirement in 1986. Although known primarily for ballads, he was an influential funk player whose riffs and songs have been widely covered. His solo recordings have sold well over one million albums.^{[citation needed]} A track titled "Wide Receiver" on an album of the same name is highly favored by breakdancers.^[1] The album was reissued by Superbird (UK) in November 2010 and a compilation titled The Best of Michael Henderson features the "Wide Receiver" song.

Influence

Many of his bass riffs have been imitated by players seeking the fat, deep grooves of the Motown sound. His bass riffs, from such hits as "Valentine Love" and "You Are My Starship", have been sampled by the likes of Snoop Dogg and L.L. Cool J, and his songs have been sampled and/or covered by Jay-Z (American Gangster (album)), Eminem (for 8 Mile), and projects by Notorious BIG, Rick James, Wayman Tisdale and Sugar Ray, among others.^{[citation needed]}

He currently lives in Las Vegas and plays shows intermittently, performing his solo material as well as that of other Motown and soul musicians. He has also played reunion concerts with other former members of the Davis electric bands.

Discography

As leader

• 1976: Solid (Buddah)
• 1977: Goin' Places (Buddah)
• 1978: In The Night Time (Buddah)
• 1979: Do It All (Buddah)
• 1980: Wide Receiver (Buddah)
• 1981: Slingshot (Buddah)
• 1983: Fickel (Buddah)
• 1986: Bedtime Stores (EMI Records)

With Miles Davis

• The Cellar Door Sessions (1970)
• A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1971)
• Live-Evil (1971)
• On the Corner (1972)
• In Concert: Live at Philharmonic Hall (1973)
• Big Fun (1974)
• Get Up with It (1974)
• Agharta (1976)
• Pangaea (1975)
• Dark Magus (1977)

References

External links

• Funk: United States
• Michael Henderson Audio Interview Part 1 at Soulinterviews.com
• Michael Henderson Audio Interview Part 2 at Soulinterviews.com