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.

Both personal memoir and cultural history, The Last Side Man preserves the voice of a musician who helped shape an era — one note at a time.