Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Russell Henderson was a musician extraordinaire. His musical skills saw him perform across the London and Caribbean music scenes. Henderson was instrumental in the formation of the Notting Hill Carnival. In 1966, when the procession began on the streets on North Kensington, it was Henderson who took the initiative. He walked the streets - steel pan round his neck - and the people followed.
Henderson was a jazz pianist by training, but he took to the steel pan after the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) took the UK by storm in 1951. Henderson had moved to London just before the orchestra played, to study piano tuning. The steel pan was an alien instrument when it first appeared on British streets. TASPO blew the minds of the public who watched it at the Royal Festival. At first treated with derision, the players with their rusted drums produced sounds unheard at the time. Sterling Betancourt of TASPO helped introduce the steel pan into Henderson’s répertoire and they formed The Russell Henderson Steel Band. The band was a three-piece which was in itself an innovation - as the pan was always played as part of an orchestra - let alone the fact the Henderson began to write music especially for the pan. The smaller band was a crowd-puller and long residencies in Soho followed. Henderson, Betancourt and their fellow band-member Max Cherrie were the first to play the steel pan to royalty, performing for the Queen at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
Henderson originally learned music by mimicking his sisters and he was adept in an array of instruments. He fused jazz with calypso; steel bands with piano sets. His piano style was distinctive. He played for over two decades at two London venues, the Coleherne and the 606 Club.
Settling in Kensal Rise, Henderson’s home was a hub of musical activity, where he would always welcome and help train young talents. He was passionate about encouraging music and helping people to network. Many relationships were formed thanks to Henderson, who arranged for emerging talent to connect with session musicians and stars of international fame. His passion for musical education saw him lecture; he would teach both the piano and the steel pan. The spreading of the steel band throughout the UK was an initiative assisted by Henderson, who helped to get the steel pan into schools. In 2006, Henderson was awarded an MBE for his services.
The number of musicians who had their lives touched by Russ Henderson is book-worthy. He is known to locals in the area as a legend with an impact that cannot be measured. Two steel bands in the area trace their origins to Russ Henderson - Nostalgia and Pan Nectar. Both bands, in homage to their beginnings, play with the pan around their necks.
In 2012, Russ Henderson was immortalised, while still living, with a plaque on Tavistock Square, where his contribution to the carnival was recognised. Henderson was an innovator, who had a huge impact on British and Caribbean culture
Henderson was a jazz pianist by training, but he took to the steel pan after the Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) took the UK by storm in 1951. Henderson had moved to London just before the orchestra played, to study piano tuning. The steel pan was an alien instrument when it first appeared on British streets. TASPO blew the minds of the public who watched it at the Royal Festival. At first treated with derision, the players with their rusted drums produced sounds unheard at the time. Sterling Betancourt of TASPO helped introduce the steel pan into Henderson’s répertoire and they formed The Russell Henderson Steel Band. The band was a three-piece which was in itself an innovation - as the pan was always played as part of an orchestra - let alone the fact the Henderson began to write music especially for the pan. The smaller band was a crowd-puller and long residencies in Soho followed. Henderson, Betancourt and their fellow band-member Max Cherrie were the first to play the steel pan to royalty, performing for the Queen at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
Henderson originally learned music by mimicking his sisters and he was adept in an array of instruments. He fused jazz with calypso; steel bands with piano sets. His piano style was distinctive. He played for over two decades at two London venues, the Coleherne and the 606 Club.
Settling in Kensal Rise, Henderson’s home was a hub of musical activity, where he would always welcome and help train young talents. He was passionate about encouraging music and helping people to network. Many relationships were formed thanks to Henderson, who arranged for emerging talent to connect with session musicians and stars of international fame. His passion for musical education saw him lecture; he would teach both the piano and the steel pan. The spreading of the steel band throughout the UK was an initiative assisted by Henderson, who helped to get the steel pan into schools. In 2006, Henderson was awarded an MBE for his services.
The number of musicians who had their lives touched by Russ Henderson is book-worthy. He is known to locals in the area as a legend with an impact that cannot be measured. Two steel bands in the area trace their origins to Russ Henderson - Nostalgia and Pan Nectar. Both bands, in homage to their beginnings, play with the pan around their necks.
In 2012, Russ Henderson was immortalised, while still living, with a plaque on Tavistock Square, where his contribution to the carnival was recognised. Henderson was an innovator, who had a huge impact on British and Caribbean culture
