Transcriptions service. Recordings In 1946, Henderson formed his own orchestra and signed a contract with Capitol Records. Among his earliest releases for Capitol was a 3-disc set titled Keyboard Sketches. His recording career spanned the period from 78s to CDs. Two albums as pianist for Arbors Records were released in the early 21st century, Swinging With Strings (2001) and Legends, with Bucky Pizzarelli (2003). Henderson also served as conductor of The New York Pops with Maureen McGovern on With a Song in My Heart: The Great Songs of Richard Rodgers for Reader's Digest and Centaur Records. Henderson conducted a 1963 recording for RCA Victor of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess with Leontyne Price and William Warfield, which won a Grammy. Television In a career at NBC from 1951 to 1966, Henderson was conductor of the orchestras for The Tonight Show and The Today Show. Henderson served as the bandleader for both Tonight Starring Steve Allen, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Henderson left the show again in 1966, during Carson's early years as host, and was replaced by Milton Delugg, who was succeeded by trumpeter Doc Severinsen (who led the NBC Orchestra until Carson's retirement in 1992). Conducting career In 1983, Henderson founded The New York Pops orchestra, which makes its home at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He served as the music director and conductor of the orchestra until his death in 2005. Henderson also conducted numerous symphonic orchestras throughout the world. His radio work included: California Melodies debuted 1940, Mutual, KHJ Songs by Sinatra 1946 I Deal in Crime 1946, ABC Philco Radio Time starring Bing Crosby 1946, ABC Best of All 1954, NBC United States Air Force Presents 1969 Skitch Henderson with the Music Makers Television programs Match Game, 1962–1963 Password, 5 episodes, 1967 Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town, co-host, 1951-1952 What's My Line?, Mystery Guest, 1973 Filmography Act One (1963) Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow! (1971) He also wrote Baby Made a Change in Me for the 1948 movie On Our Merry Way. Awards and honors In 1997, Henderson was honored for the vital role he played in the cultural life of New York City by being awarded the Handel Medallion, presented by the City of New York, New York. On January 29, 2005, Henderson was awarded the Smithsonian Institution's highest honor, the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal. An exhibit highlighting the musician's career