The Kicker

The Kicker

Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson had carved out a reputation recording on a number of classic sessions for Blue Note records when he was signed by the fledgling Milestone records in 1967. The versatile Henderson would prove to be a workhorse in the Milestone studios over the next decade, but his debut, <I>The Kicker</i>, was an auspicious first album for his new connections. At the time Henderson had been working in a cooperative with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and drummer Louis Hayes, and Hayes was the drummer on <I>The Kicker</i>. Veteran bassist Ron Carter and the talented pianist Kenny Barron completed the rhythm section, while trumpeter Mike Lawrence and trombonist Grachan Moncur joined Henderson on the frontline. Henderson wrote several songs, including the title track, for the album. <i>--John Swenson</i>