Skitch Henderson - Keyboard Sketches by Skitch Henderson (1949)

"Moonglow" by Skitch Henderson

As The Steve Allen Show's resident orchestra, Bobby Byrne and His Orchestra provided Dixieland Jazz accompaniment when the show was still a local New York program. NBC loved the format and adapted it, with Steve Allen, for a national audience. They created Tonight Starring Steve Allen, though Allen would tell you that NBC and the show's new producers didn't do much creating at all—as not much changed in the transition. One change, however, was the replacement of Bobby Byrne (whose Dixieland sound at the time was not suitable for the new audience) with Skitch Henderson and His Orchestra.

Skitch Henderson formed his orchestra after several years working in radio as a musical director and accompanist. He released his debut album Keyboard Sketches by Skitch Henderson (without his orchestra) in 1949 on Capitol Records.

Skitch's postwar recordings are piano-driven with an orchestra ready to respond when Skitch goes quiet, playing a pop jazz more appropriate for background music and slow dancing. Without his orchestra, Skitch's recordings are even softer and heavier with flourish. A little night music with a touch of Gershwin—almost lullabies.

Here is the discography surrounding Skitch Henderson's debut album:

Cynthia's in Love (1946 single with His Orchestra)

Dreamland Rendezvous (1946 single with His Orchestra)

Five Minutes More (1946 single with His Orchestra)

A Garden in the Rain (1946 single with His Orchestra)

If I'm Lucky (1946 single with His Orchestra)

Army Air Corps (1947 single with His Orchestra)

Dancing with a Deb (1947 single with His Orchestra)

Emperor Waltz (1947 single with His Orchestra)

Far Away Island (1947 single with His Orchestra)

Papa, Won't You Dance with Me? (1947 single with His Orchestra)

Would You Believe Me (1947 single with His Orchestra)

But None Like You (1948 single with His Orchestra)

A Fella with an Umbrella (1948 single with His Orchestra)

Maybe (1948 single with His Orchestra)

Skitch's Boogie (1948 single with His Orchestra)

Somebody Else's Picture (1948 single with His Orchestra)

The Music Goes 'Round and Around (1949 single with His Orchestra)

Pattern in Lace (1949 single with His Orchestra)

Autumn in New York (1949 single)

Moonglow (1949 single)

Keyboard Sketches by Skitch Henderson

Daddy's Little Girl (1950 single with His Orchestra)

Sunday Monday (1950 single with His Orchestra)

Swan Lake (1950 single with His Orchestra)

Two Cigarettes in the Dark (1951 single)

"Swan Lake" by Skitch Henderson and His Orchestra

"Maybe" by Skitch Henderson and His Orchestra

Skitch Henderson on "Tonight Starring Steve Allen"

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