Luther Henderson, renowned Broadway arranger-conductor, dies at 84

Jet, August 18, 2003

Luther Lincoln Henderson, a Tony-nominated arranger and orchestrator, died after a long battle with cancer at a hospice in Manhattan. He was 84.

Funny Girl and Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music were among the musicals where the prolific music great lent his distinctive sound. He also served as musical director, orchestrator, arranger and pianist for Ain't Misbehavin'.

Henderson was also noted for his work with Duke Ellington. Henderson arranged Three Black Kings, composed by Ellington, who lauded Henderson's skillful touch in orchestrating. The production was originally commissioned by the Dance Theatre of Harlem as Les Trois Rois Noirs. As early as 1946, Henderson was one of the orchestrators of Beggar's Holiday, the only Ellington musical produced on Broadway.

His work as orchestrator and co-composer of Jelly's Last Jam earned him a Tony nomination for Best Score. He also earned a nomination for his work on Play On, a jazz version of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

In addition to his work with Ellington, Henderson also worked with Lena Horne, Richard Rodgers, Jules Styne, Carol Haney and Andre Kostelanetz, to name a few. Songstylist Nancy Wilson recorded his composition Ten Good Years on her classic album Coconut Grove.

Survivors include his wife, theater director and actress Billie Allen, two sons, a daughter, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.