Henry, (Frank) Haywood

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Henry, (Frank) Haywood

Henry, (Frank) Haywood, jazz saxophonist; b. Birmingham, Ala., Jan. 10, 1913; d. Bronx, N.Y., Sept. 15, 1994. Originally a clarinetist, he played in the ’Bama State Collegians from 1931-32. He left the band to go to N.Y., played in the 131st Street Church Band, then worked with Leon Englund’s Band at the Arcadia Ballroom before rejoining the ’Bama State Collegians, which subsequently became Erskine Hawkins’s Band. He remained with that band from 1935 until the early 1950s. He worked with Tiny Grimes in the early 1950s, then did active freelance work on all saxes, played baritone in Henderson Re-union Band in 1957 and 1958, and worked occasionally on clarinet with Wilbur de Paris in the early 1960s. He worked regularly with Earl Hines from late 1969 until early 1971 (including a tour of Europe). He worked with various leaders during the 1970s, toured Europe with Sy Oliver, and with the N.Y. Jazz Repertory Company. In the 1980s and early 1990s he performed as a member of The Duke’s Men and The Harlem Jazz and Blues Band. During the 1990s, he led his own quartet in N.Y., as well as recording with Clark Terry, Bill Doggett, and Charles Brown, and making occasional trips to Denmark.

—John Chilton/Lewis Porter