14 Facts About Henry Threadgill

Henry Threadgill was born on February 15,1944 and is an American composer, saxophonist and flautist.

Henry Threadgill came to prominence in the 1970s leading ensembles rooted in jazz but with unusual instrumentation and often incorporating other genres of music.

Henry Threadgill was awarded the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his album In for a Penny, In for a Pound, which premiered at Roulette Intermedium on December 4,2014.

Henry Threadgill studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, majoring in piano, flute, and composition.

Henry Threadgill studied piano with Gail Quillman and composition with Stella Roberts.

Henry Threadgill was an original member of the Experimental Band, a precursor to the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in his hometown of Chicago, and worked under the guidance of Muhal Richard Abrams, before leaving to tour with a gospel band.

Henry Threadgill moved to New York City, where he formed his first group, X-75, a nonet consisting of four reed players, four bass players, and a vocalist.

Henry Threadgill composed and recorded with other unusual instruments, such as a flute quartet ; and combinations of four cellos and four acoustic guitars.

Henry Threadgill was signed by Columbia Records for three albums.

Since the dissolution of Very Very Circus, Henry Threadgill has continued in his iconoclastic ways with ensembles such as Make a Move and Zooid.

In 2018, Henry Threadgill composed the string quartet "Sixfivetwo" for the Kronos Quartet, which they recorded as part of their "Fifty for the Future" project.

Henry Threadgill studied piano, flute, and composition at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, and Governors State University, in University Park, Illinois.

Henry Threadgill was a member of the US Army Concert Band, and served in Vietnam.

Henry Threadgill is married to recording artist and ethnomusicologist Senti Toy, known as Sentienla Toy Threadgill.