Player Spotlight: Eric Henderson’s Sizzle Reel

Eric was one of Segovia’s students. He began playing the guitar at the age of six. At first, he played fingerstyle music, but then quickly moved to the classical guitar which he learned from a wonderful teacher, Antonia Morales. The first milestone in his career happened when he was just thirteen years old. Antonia took him to Los Angeles to attend one of Segovia’s concerts. After the concert, she arranged a private meeting to introduce young Eric to Maestro Segovia who, after meeting Eric, invited him to come to study with him in Spain. He was the third person ever invited to study privately with Segovia.

While in Madrid, Eric devoted 12-14 hours a day to practicing guitar, studying with Maestro Segovia and Aureo Herrero, while also learning composition, theory, and interpretation under top European teachers like Federico Moreno Torroba. Over four years in Spain, he honed his skills, eventually performing across Europe. A concert in the Netherlands led to a contract with a prestigious agency, launching his first tour in 1975-76.

Returning to California, Eric joined Columbia Artists and filled in for Christopher Parkening after his retirement. Despite his career's success, Eric struggled with loneliness, self-doubt, and stage fright, eventually becoming paralyzed by fear and unable to play by age 26. For five years, he sought to rediscover joy in music. At 31, teaching a student with exceptional technique transformed his approach. He realized the key to classical guitar was aligning with natural hand movements, reigniting his passion and ease in playing.

In 2002, Eric booked a 40-concert tour but faced an unexpected trial when a broken fake nail led to a nail salon visit where unsterilized tools exposed him to a flesh-eating bacteria. Initially misdiagnosed as the flu, his condition worsened, requiring a nine-day medically induced coma. Though he fully recovered, it took a year before he could play guitar again.

Despite these challenges, Eric remained active in the guitar community. In 2004, he married Virginia, who deeply transformed his life, encouraging his playing and composing. They shared 16 wonderful years until her passing last September. Music now helps Eric navigate this profound loss.

Eric recently posted a sizzle reel which compiles a wide variety of his recordings. You can check it out below!