Chambers, Henderson (Charles)
Chambers, Henderson (Charles)
Chambers, Henderson (Charles), jazz trombonist; b. Alexandria, La., May 1, 1908; d. N.Y., Oct. 19, 1967. He attended local school, then studied at Leland Coll., in Baker, La. He began playing trombone with the student band at Morehouse Coll., Atlanta. His first professional work was with Neil Montgomery in 1931. He was with Doc Banks in Nashville (1932), then worked in saxist Jack Jackson’s Pullman Porters; later fronted by Speed Webb (1933). He was with Zack Whyte (1934), then played in Ky with Al Sears’ Band (1935–36) and Tiny Bradshaw (1937–38). He moved to N.Y. in 1939, worked with Chris Columbus Band at Savoy Ballroom until late 1940, then with Louis Armstrong from January 1941 until 1943. He was with Don Redman in 1943, joined Ed Hall Sextet in summer of 1944, worked on and off with Ed Hall for four years, and also played with Don Redman, Sy Oljver, and other leaders. He was with Lucky Millinder (1950–53), Count Basie, Jerry Relding (1954), did occasional tours with Cab Calloway; also worked with Doc Cheatham in Boston (late 1955). Occasionally with Duke Ellington in 1957, he also did regular freelance studio work, and played with a band led by Mercer Ellington (1959). He toured with Ray Charles (1961–late 1963), then with Count Basie from January 1964 until 1966. During the last years of his life, he assisted Edgar Battle in running a big rehearsal band. He died of a heart attack.
—John Chilton, Who’s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter