Michael Henderson Begins Summer Tour 2008 in Hotlanta

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Internationally Acclaimed Fusion/Funk/Jazz, R&B Singer/Songwriter, Bass Player Extraordinaire, and Producer Michael Henderson is one of today's most enduring personalities in the entertainment business! His unique vocal power, ability and charismatic persona make him one of the most respected, admired, loved and sought after performers in modern popular music! Henderson takes the stage at Georgia's 7th Annual Jazz and Blues Festival, Saturday July 19th, 2008 sharing his music with old and new fans alike!

Henderson's award-winning multi-platinum history includes four decades of hit music as Miles Davis' bassist and achieving a string of hits as an R&B vocalist, including chart-toppers "You Are My Starship, " "Wide Receiver, " "In the Night-Time, " "Valentine Love, " "Be My Girl." HENDERSON'S PLATINUM-SELLING MONSTER DUETS are: "At The Concert with Roberta Flack, " "Valentine Love with Jean Carne, " "Take Me - I'm Yours with Rena Scott, " "Can't We Fall In Love Again with Phyllis Hyman, " "We Both Need Each Other also Phyllis Hyman."

Michael Henderson (July 7, 1951-present ) has enjoyed successful careers as a player and performer. He moved from Yazoo City, Mississippi to Detroit in the early '60s, and was a session player. As a 13-year-old, Henderson played bass with the Fantastic Four, Detroit Emeralds, Billy Preston, and other Motown acts in 1964 and 1965. He later toured with Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin before joining Miles Davis in the early 1970's and 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 Miles in both phases of his electric period, starting in 1970 at the age of 19 and continuing until Miles' semi-retirement in 1976.

Henderson played and toured with Davis for seven years, when he met drummer/producer Norman Connors. Henderson pitched him some songs. Connors recorded "Valentine Love" on his Saturday night Special LP featuring Henderson with Jean Carne. This was his vocal debut and it reached number ten on the R&B chart. Henderson wrote two other hits for the LP, "We Both Need Each Other" one of the duets w/ Phyllis Hyman and "You Are My Starship, " which peaked at number four. Those successes landed Henderson his own Buddah deal in 1976, and in 1978 he got his first Top 10 R&B hit with "Take Me I'm Yours" for Buddah. Henderson recorded for Buddah from 1976 to 1983, earning his biggest hit in 1980 with "Wide Receiver, " a number four hit. He moved to EMI in 1986. Henderson also recorded "Can't We Fall in Love Again" with Phyllis Hyman on her own LP, and sang with Bobby Womack and Johnnie Taylor, as well as producing the Dramatics. He also helped discover Cherrelle.

With mesmerizing, grooves and a pop sensibility, he 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.

Michael Henderson is considered to be one of the (3) three greatest Motown Bassists, along with Bob Babbitt and his primary influence, James Jameson.

Although known primarily for ballads, he remains today, an influential Funk Player whose riffs and songs have been widely covered, with solo recordings selling well into the millions.

In recent years, Henderson has experienced a resurgence in popularity as many of his bass riffs have been imitated by players seeking the fat, deep grooves of the Motown sound. His bass riffs, from such hits as "Valentine Love" and "You are my Starship, " have been sampled by the likes of Snoop Dogg and L.L. Cool J, Tupac, Tamia, Mobb Deep, NAS, Jay-Z, and his songs have been covered by Rick James, Wayman Tisdale, Maysa, Beyonce, and Sugar Ray, and more! Additional confirmed Michael Henderson dates are as follows: Aug., 9th Chicago Country Club Hills Theater, Aug 23rd, Los Angeles 28th Annual Sunset Junction Street Fest, Sept., 13th The Oakland Museum Oakland CA., and for Henderson's staunch Bass Fans, along with fellow Miles Davis alums, Badal Roy and Dave Liebman, October 10th Hartford International Jazz Fest., 2008 Don't miss this rare opportunity!

View Michael Henderson performing "Live" at the Cincinnati Health Care Expo, April 2008 on Youtube!

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