Al Hendrickson


Alton Reynolds Hendrickson was an American jazz guitarist and occasional vocalist.

Biography

When he was five years old, Hendrickson's family moved to California, where he grew up. He played early in his career with the Gramercy Five, Ray Linn, Artie Shaw, and Freddie Slack, then worked with Benny Goodman in both smaller and larger ensemble settings. He played with Woody Herman on several occasions in the late 1940s through the end of the 1950s, and also played with Neal Hefti, Bill Holman, Barney Kessel, Johnny Mandel, Billy May, Ray Noble, Andre Previn, Louis Prima, Boyd Raeburn, Shorty Rogers, and Bud Shank. In 1962, he appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival alongside Louie Bellson and Dizzy Gillespie.
He also worked as an accompanist and session musician for many popular vocalists, such as Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Lee Hazlewood, Eartha Kitt, Frankie Laine, Ann-Margret, Dean Martin, Ella Mae Morse, Harry Nilsson, and Elvis Presley. He also worked with arrangers like Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, and Lalo Schifrin, and did sessions for television and film.
Hendrickson died of a heart attack at his home in North Bend, Oregon, at the age of 87.

Discography

As sideman

With The Andrews SistersFresh and Frency Free
With Ray ConniffFriendly Persuasion Speak to Me of Love You Make Me Feel So Young
With Earl GrantThe End Beyond the Reef and Other Instrumental Favorites Winter Wonderland
With Billy EckstineThe Modern Sound of Mr. B
With Dean MartinThis Time I'm Swingin'! Dino: Italian Love Songs Cha Cha de Amor
With Frank SinatraCome Fly with Me Come Dance with Me! All Alone September of My Years The World We Knew
With others