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Artist
Michael Henderson
12+ albums
soulfunkMichael Hendersonrnb70s
about
Michael Henderson (born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on 7 July 1951; died 19 July 2022) was an American bassist and vocalist best known for his work with Miles Davis in the early 1970s, providing a deep funky groove to early fusion albums such as A Tribute to Jack Johnson, Pangaea (album), and Live-Evil. He was the only musician to play with Davis in both phases of his electric period, starting in 1970 at the age of 18 and continuing until Davis's semi-retirement in 1976. He released a series of his own R&B/soul music, featuring him on vocals, in the mid to late-1970s. With deep, funky grooves and a pop sensibility, Henderson was one of the first notable bassists 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 Miles, he has played and recorded with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, the Dramatics, Doctor John, and others. He is considered to be one of the three greatest motown bassists, along with Bob Babbitt and his primary influence, James Jamerson. Before working with Miles, Henderson had been touring with Stevie Wonder, whom he met at the Regal in Chicago while warming up for a gig. Miles Davis saw the young Henderson performing at the Copacabana (nightclub) in New York in early 1970 and reportedly said to Wonder simply "I'm takin' your fuckin' bass player." After almost seven years with Miles, Henderson focused on songwriting and singing in a solo career that produced multiple hit son
