Chuck Henderson makes his music and his home in Munich
Chuck Henderson arrived in Germany with $100 in his wallet, a soprano saxophone in his luggage and an uncanny ability to improvise. More than 13 years later, his ability to turn the air from his lungs into music has allowed him to make a living doing what he loves best. Currently based in Haidhausen, the 47-year-old American came to Munich in 1990 after a brief sojourn in Frankfurt and a year in Berlin. It was in the former city that Henderson got his first taste of what he calls “magic.” It was May 1989. A group of legendary jazz musicians was touring Germany under the name New York Swing All Stars and was in Frankfurt for two open-air shows. After a few hours of playing on the street, Henderson was walking around town when he heard some familiar sounds. He managed to get backstage, where he started talking to jazz saxophonist Billy Mitchell. The conversation turned to Charlie Parker. Mitchell asked Henderson what he thought of the bebop original, considered by many to be the ultimate jazz musician. Henderson said he felt Parker was a genius but that his music “messes me up.” Perhaps something in the honesty of Henderson’s words touched Mitchell’s heart for he told Henderson to get his saxophone and invited him on stage. Up in front of the audience he gave the young saxophonist the OK to play, then turned away but did not leave the stage. After hearing Henderson produce 12 notes Mitchell was satisfied: “Play on young man,” he encouraged. Henderson did exactly that and when he finished his solo was given a loud round of applause. Born in Princeton, New Jersey, Henderson, who resembles both American football legend Jerry Rice and US movie star Don Cheadle, said his love for music began early. He started by pounding out sounds on his mom’s pots and pans while he was in grade school. He thought the sound was “funky” but Mom thought it was just noise. Henderson decided he would try out for the school band, but his hopes of joining the percussion section were dashed. The band already had 19 drummers. He was dejected until his friends suggested he try the saxophone. Henderson remembers getting his first wind instrument, an alto sax, on a Friday afternoon. He immediately began blowing with all his might. Nothing happened. He had to wait until school on Monday, where he was taught how to make the instrument cooperate. “I played my first sound and that was it,” says Henderson. After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and playing some professional gigs, Henderson put his saxophone away and began looking for a job. He started working for IBM as a quality engineer and then transferred to Zerox, where he fixed large copy machines. He was successful, but he felt something was missing. In 1984 Henderson remembers going to an open jam session at the Nassau Inn in Princeton. It was the first time in years that he had picked up a sax. He apparently had not lost his touch. “The reaction was overwhelming,” remembers Henderson, who has been playing the soprano sax since that night. He started making music every weekend, eventually forming the Chuck Henderson Quartet. While he cherished the experience of playing with the likes of jazz greats Cecil Payne, Woody Shaw and Junior Cook, he knew that making a living as a musician in the States was out of the question. So he decided to visit the old world. “Europe is more open to my music and to other types of music too,” says the amiable performer. Henderson began by staying with an uncle in Frankfurt, but this arrangement didn’t last long: his uncle didn’t like the hours Henderson kept and advised his nephew to go to Berlin. Within two days of arriving in the city Henderson had a weekend gig with a jazz band. Things were looking up. In the long term though surviving as a musician proved tough. Playing in public areas like parks and pedestrian zones and giving saxophone lessons were the reality of life in Berlin. A youth hostel was home and the only meal he could rely on was the breakfast that was included in the price of the room. There were many times when it seemed sensible to quit, but Henderson could never quite give up, though he knew the odds. “A lot of musicians get the silver platter, but nothing is permanent in the music business. It’s a constant process of struggle.” He moved to Munich in 1991 and soon ended up on tour with Embryo, the Munich-based band that specializes in world and ethnic music. He spent the next eight years seeing much of the world while performing in more than 2,000 shows with the band. He is featured on two of the band’s CDs, “Ibn Battula” and “Ni Hau,” and appeared with the group on Japanese television. In 2000, Henderson released his first solo CD called “Black Issues” with a band by the same name. He plans to record two more CDs this year with well-known jazz percussionist Steve Reid. When he’s not on the road or teaching, Henderson likes to spend time with his wife, Azra, and their two-year-old dog, Jacky Luu. He also loves to cook what he calls “Turktalian,” a mix of Mediterranean-inspired dishes that, much like his music, is based on improvisation. When asked what is the best part about being a musician Henderson smiles thoughtfully and says, “At 17, it’s the girls. At 47, it’s the fact that no matter what happens, no matter what the bill collectors or the government are trying to do to you, when you play for an hour you have forgotten everything that was bothering you. I don’t know of another profession that lets you exorcise the demons like that.” To order “Black Issue” contact: info@chazra.com. Check out Chuck’s site at www.chazra.com.