TOP SHELF REISSUE OF JOE HENDERSON'S TETRAGON KICKS OFF OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY

The King of Tenor Sax returns. To kick off our landmark 10th anniversary celebrations, we’re excited to announce the newest offering of the Top Shelf vinyl reissues: Joe Henderson’s post-bop triumph, Tetragon.

The 1968 album marks the celebrated saxophonist’s sophomore effort for Milestone Records and boasts a world-class lineup of collaborators, including Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Barron, Louis Hayes and Don Friedman. Out-of-print for more than 50 years, Tetragon will return to vinyl as part of the acclaimed Top Shelf series and make its hi-res streaming debut on March 13^th.

Available to pre-order and pre-save today, Tetragon features all-analog mastering by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Fidelity Record Pressing. A stylish Tip-on gatefold jacket, replicating the album’s original design, rounds out the package.

Tetragon is the first release in a year-long slate of anniversary programming from our vibe purveyors, with more out-of-print cult classics, groove-forward compilations, special releases, global listening events, and additional surprises set to roll out throughout 2026.

One of the most talented tenor saxophonists of his era, Joe Henderson (1937–2001) was both a prolific band leader and a sought-after sideman who played alongside the biggest names in jazz, including Herbie Hancock, Kenny Dorham, Chick Corea, and Alice Coltrane. The virtuosic Ohio-born musician launched his four-decade-long career in Detroit while attending college, before relocating to New York. Soon, he built a name for himself performing on dozens of sessions for Blue Note Records, including those for Hancock, Horace Silver, Andrew Hill, and Lee Morgan.

As a bandleader, Henderson stood out from his peers, thanks to an eclectic sound that frequently incorporated elements of avant-garde, Latin, and R&B. That versatility caught the attention of legendary jazz producer Orrin Keepnews, who signed the saxophonist to Milestone Records. There, Henderson would take his career—and his sound—to the next level, beginning with 1968’s The Kicker. His seventh album as a leader, Tetragon, dropped later that year.

Aptly named after the four-sided geometrical shape, Tetragon focused on the art of the quartet—a more intimate setting than what Henderson typically explored. In an interview with Keepnews for the album’s liner notes, the sax player mused, “It’s a very different experience for me than quintet or sextet…. You’ve got less to contend with in the way of musicians having different ideas, which allows for a broader involvement on my part…. I’ve got this big open space going there that I can work with whichever way the music takes me.”

Recorded in two sessions, eight months apart, the album found the saxophonist and his frequent collaborator, bassist Ron Carter, working with two handpicked rhythm sections. The first (September 27, 1967) paired them with pianist Kenny Barron and drummer Louis Hayes, while the second (May 16, 1968) featured pianist Don Friedman and drummer Jack DeJohnette.

Tetragon is rooted primarily in post-bop territory, blending jazz standards (Bronisław Kaper’s moody “Invitation” and the Cole Porter classic “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”) with high-energy originals, including the title track, penned by Henderson, plus two compositions by Carter (“First Trip” and “R. J.,” the latter named for the bassist’s son). The outlier, however, is “The Bead Game,” a glorious eight-and-a-half-minute-long improvisation that not only showcases the quartet’s tight musicianship but also foreshadows the sonic explorations and experimentation that Henderson would embark on in the following years.

A standout title in Henderson’s lengthy discography, Tetragon has long been praised for its adventurous spirit and impressive performances. In more recent years, Jazz Desk declared the LP a “Masterpiece,” calling it “one of the greatest tenor saxophone quartet albums of all time.” London Jazz Collector, meanwhile, noted Henderson’s “imaginative twists and turns [that] prob[e] multiphonic extremes.”

With a full year of festivities ahead, Jazz Dispensary’s 10th anniversary celebration is just getting started. Fans and collectors can subscribe and follow Jazz Dispensary for ongoing updates, new announcements, and more highlights throughout 2026.

Click here to pre-order and pre-save Tetragon.

Tetragon Track List (Vinyl)

Side A