Balancing a career in psychiatry with his love of forward-thinking post-bop and fusion, trumpeter Eddie Henderson has cut a distinctive path in modern jazz. Henderson emerged as an original member of Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi band in the 1970s, appearing on the landmark jazz-funk album Sextant. His own cross-pollinated funk and disco-infused albums, and especially his breakthrough U.K. hit "Prance On" from 1978's Mahal, were influential touchstones for later hip-hop, electronic, and acid jazz musicians. A licensed psychiatrist, Henderson often split his time playing jazz and working in medicine. From the late '80s onward, he has remained a vital presence on the New York City jazz scene, releasing acoustic jazz albums like 2010's For All We Know and working as a member of the hard bop supergroup the Cookers. He made his Smoke Sessions debut with 2018's Be Cool and joined fellow Hancock band veteran Mike Clark for 2023's Kosen Rufu.