Lyle Russell "Skitch" Henderson, born on January 27, 1918, in Halstad,
Minnesota, was an American pianist, conductor, and composer who began playing at
age four. His career took off accompanying Judy Garland on a 1937 MGM
promotional tour. In the 1940s, he worked extensively in radio and formed his
own orchestra in 1946, signing with Capitol Records. Henderson's television
career included conducting orchestras for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny
Carson. Notable recordings include a Grammy-winning Porgy and Bess with Leontyne
Price and William Warfield in 1963. He founded The New...