On this day 1926 Ernie Henry, American jazz saxophonist (Fats Navarro; Dizzy Gillespie; Illinois Jacquet), was born in Brooklyn, New York City (d. 1957).
Ernie was a very talented saxophonist, unfortunately he died at the young age of 31. One of the many American artists who emerged after the war in the era of be-bops who got lost in the curse of heroin addiction. Henry played in the late 1940s with Tadd Dameron (1947), Fats Navarro, Charlie Ventura, Max Roach and Dizzy Gillespie (1948-49). From 1950 to 1952 he played in the Illinois band Jacquet and recorded for James Moody (James Moody and his Modernists – Blue Note 1952). After a few years in the shadows, he returned to play with Thelonious Monk (1956) on his epochal records such as Brilliant Corners, Charles Mingus, Kenny Dorham, Kenny Drew, Wynton Kelly and again Gillespie in 1956-57, (traceable in Dizzy in Greece, Birks’ Works and Dizzy Gillespie at Newport all recorded for Verve).
Unfortunately in the capacity of leader there are only three albums, released by the well-deserving Riverside and recorded shortly before his death, between 1956 and 1957. Ernie Henry had his own original sound, although he was clearly influenced by Charlie Parker, and great skills soloists.
We suggest significant piece for listening, even if only not to forget the musical art of many of the so-called unsung heroes of which the history of jazz is full.
