What did Duke Ellington say about Fletcher Henderson's band?

What did Duke Ellington say about Fletcher Henderson's band?

• A. He wanted his band to sound like Henderson's.
• B. He wanted his band to be louder than Henderson's.
• C. He wanted his band to use fewer instruments.
• D. He wanted his band to play faster tempos.

Answer: (A)

Ellington admired Fletcher Henderson's big-band sound—the way his horn sections and arrangements had a tight, punchy swing. When he said he wanted his band to sound like Henderson's, he was expressing a goal to achieve that same level of polish, balance, and drive in his own orchestra. It’s about emulating Henderson’s approach to arranging and ensemble texture, not about louder volume, fewer instruments, or faster tempos. This mindset helped Ellington shape a sophisticated, distinctive big-band voice that still carried the influence of Henderson’s model.

Ellington admired Fletcher Henderson's big-band sound—the way his horn sections and arrangements had a tight, punchy swing. When he said he wanted his band to sound like Henderson's, he was expressing a goal to achieve that same level of polish, balance, and drive in his own orchestra. It’s about emulating Henderson’s approach to arranging and ensemble texture, not about louder volume, fewer instruments, or faster tempos. This mindset helped Ellington shape a sophisticated, distinctive big-band voice that still carried the influence of Henderson’s model.