Al Hendrickson: The Guitar Virtuoso of American Jazz and Studio Music
Al Hendrickson was a masterful American guitarist whose career defined the sound of mid-20th century studio music and jazz. His precise, versatile playing can be heard on hundreds of recordings, making him one of the most in-demand session musicians of his era.
Early career
Born in 1920 in Homestead, Pennsylvania, Al Hendrickson began his professional journey in the late 1930s. He first gained attention as a member of the popular bands led by Alvino Rey and later Stan Kenton, where his clean technique and adaptability quickly set him apart from his peers.
Breakthrough
Hendrickson's move to Los Angeles in the 1940s marked his true breakthrough into the studio scene. He became a first-call guitarist for Capitol Records, contributing to countless sessions that defined the West Coast jazz and popular music sound of the post-war years.
Key tracks
Vaya Con Dios — Hendrickson's distinctive guitar work is a central element of Les Paul and Mary Ford's 1953 chart-topping hit.
Misty — His subtle chordal accompaniment can be heard on the classic 1959 recording by pianist Erroll Garner.
The Girl From Ipanema — Hendrickson provided the gentle, bossa-nova infused guitar lines on the iconic 1964 version by Stan Getz and João Gilberto.
Something Cool — He crafted the atmospheric guitar parts for June Christy's definitive 1953 vocal jazz album of the same name.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Al Hendrickson's schedule was packed with sessions for artists across the spectrum. He recorded with vocal giants like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, provided the guitar backbone for pop acts like The Andrews Sisters, and lent his jazz sensibility to instrumentalists such as Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee. His work was not limited to the studio; he was also a respected educator and authored several influential guitar instruction books. Hendrickson's legacy is cemented not by solo albums, but by his pervasive presence on a staggering array of certified gold and platinum records that shaped American listening habits. His playing, always melodic and impeccably timed, never overshadowed the artist yet always enhanced the recording. For fans of the classic American songbook and West Coast jazz, the guitar work of Al Hendrickson is a familiar and cherished sound. His style shares the clean, melodic approach of fellow session legend Barney Kessel. Listeners who appreciate the cool jazz guitar of Herb Ellis will find common ground in Hendrickson's phrasing. The versatile studio work of Tommy Tedesco from a later era follows a similar path of musical adaptability.
Al Hendrickson's music remains a staple on classic jazz FM stations and online radio streams dedicated to the Great American Songbook. His contributions are regularly featured on programs highlighting the golden age of studio recording and West Coast jazz history.
The guitar work of Al Hendrickson continues to be celebrated on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his vast contributions to jazz and popular music by tuning into the dedicated stations available on onairium.com.
