Music
of the
Spirit.

The Last Side Man is the untold story of jazz great Haywood Henry — a master reedman who stood beside legends, shaped the sound of swing, and helped build Harlem’s golden age one note at a time.

About The Author

Haywood Henry

Haywood Henry is the author of The Last Side Man, a powerful autobiography that tells the story of his life and career as a respected jazz tenor saxophonist. Written in his own voice, the book offers a firsthand account of his journey from early-20th-century Birmingham to Harlem’s golden age of jazz.

More than a memoir, it captures the sound, struggle, and spirit of an era through the eyes of a working musician. By telling his own story, Henry preserves both his legacy and the history of the sidemen who helped shape American music from behind the spotlight.

About The Book

The Last Side Man

The Last Side Man tells the remarkable story of Haywood Henry, a master reed player whose career spanned more than five decades at the heart of American jazz. From the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, to the legendary Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, Henry’s journey traces the rise of swing, the battle of the big bands, and the birth of modern jazz.

Performing alongside some of the most celebrated names in music, Henry built his reputation not as a headliner, but as a trusted and essential sideman — the kind of musician who held the sound together. Through firsthand accounts of Broadway stages, Harlem jam sessions, and life on the road, this book offers a rare inside look at the craft, discipline, and resilience required to survive in the music business.

Book Trailer

Literary Masterpiece Unveiled

The book trailer brings The Last Side Man to life, tracing the rhythm of a man who stood beside legends and built a career on craft, discipline, and heart.

From Author's Desk

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Welcome to From the Author’s Desk — a space where stories continue beyond the pages of The Last Side Man.

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