March 31, 1975 – Mary 31, 1981

Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, Jimmy started his musical training at the age of six by taking piano from his mother, who was a classical piano teacher. At age eight, he began trombone lessons with the high school band director, continuing through Junior High and High School years. Jimmy joined the Musicians Union at the age of thirteen and was engaged as first trombonist with the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. He was able to gain a variety of experience with local dance bands and formed the first Jimmy Henderson Orchestra which he fronted for two years. During that period, he entered and won regional, state and national band contests as a trombone soloist. As a result, at the age of fourteen, Jimmy won a scholarship to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where he later received a Bachelor of Music degree. A variety of musical experiences were afforded Jimmy during this period. He worked as an extra trombonist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra doing concerts and recordings, as well as vaudeville, night clubs and regular appearances as trombone soloist with the Dr. Simon 100-piece radio concert band.

Upon graduating, Jimmy went on the road with the original big bands of Hal McIntyre, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey and the regrouped Dorsey Brothers Orchestra.

Jimmy moved to Los Angeles, California in January 1954 where, for the next twenty-one years, he worked as a free-lance trombonist at all the major motion picture studios, as well as doing television, recordings and commercials. His activities included such shows as Bonanza, High Chapparal, Mannix, Mission Impossible and I Love Lucy.

During this period, he formed the new Jimmy Henderson Orchestra in California which he fronted for fifteen years until his association with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Jimmy’s band was so closely identified with Hollywood’s top entertainment functions, that noted columnist Hedda Hopper dubbed the group “The Entertainment Industry’s Own Jimmy Henderson Orchestra.” Jimmy was known for his performances as musical director of the Emmy Awards, many Television Academy functions, the Directors’ Guild of America Annual Awards and the International Broadcasting Awards working with such stars as Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope.

On March 31st, 1975, Jimmy Henderson was engaged by Glenn Miller Productions, Inc. as the new director of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, opening at the Riverboat in New York City. Under his aegis, the orchestra achieved new heights in musical performance and received great national and international acclaim, including an appearance at President Ronald Reagan’s first inaugural ball in January 1981. Jimmy retired from the Glenn Miller Orchestra on May 31, 1981. He passed away in New York City in June 1998.

Buddy Morrow is recognized as one of the all-time great trombone players. His great musicianship has been evident through the years and first came to the public eye when he was featured with leading orchestras such as Tommy Dorsey, Paul Whiteman, Artie Shaw and Jimmy Dorsey and as a staff musician with many of the major radio and television shows.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, his future as a musician was virtually predestined, since his family had been musicians for generations and had played in leading orchestras all over Europe.

Jazz-great Bunny Berigan heard him sitting in on a jam session and was so impressed that he recommended him to Artie Shaw who hired him for his newly formed orchestra. Later he joined Eddy Duchin and then Paul Whiteman. During his stay with Whiteman, he was featured on his Chesterfield Radio Show. Next came a call from Tommy Dorsey to join his orchestra, the beginning of a friendship that lasted throughout the years. He later joined CBS as a staff musician and freelanced in the recording, radio and television industries.

Through the years, Buddy Morrow had become so highly regarded in the music world that RCA-Victor signed him to form an orchestra and record under his own name. Buddy began experimenting with style and instrumentation and took a band on the road.