Fletcher Henderson was an influential American jazz pianist, bandleader, and arranger born on December 18, 1897, in Cuthbert, Georgia. He played a key role in the development of big band jazz during the 1920s and 1930s. Henderson's orchestra was one of the first to incorporate complex arrangements and improvisation, helping to shape the sound of jazz music. Henderson worked with many notable musicians, including Louis Armstrong and Coleman Hawkins. His innovative arrangements laid the groundwork for future big bands, and he is often credited with helping to popularize the genre. Henderson's contributions to jazz have left a lasting legacy in the music world.