Trumpeter Eddie Henderson has been, as the title of his latest album declares, a Witness to History, a stunning release that celebrates the 50th anniversary of his debut recording as leader, 1973’s Realization. At almost 83, he was on the scene with the ubiquitous “them all” and in 1949 even received an informal trumpet lesson from Louis Armstrong.

Henderson doesn’t pull any punches here as he takes off on an original, the funky “Scorpio Rising.” Shades of his early years with Miles Davis can be detected as Henderson’s long-time collaborator keyboardist George Cables works his magic on the electric keys rather than the acoustic piano which he plays throughout the album. Guess it takes two drummers to really funk it up so Henderson enlisted Mike Clark to join Lenny White, who is behind the trap set for the rest of the session.

Dig this group’s rendition of the late great saxophonist Eddie Harris’ “Freedom Jazz Dance.” The trumpeter and New Orleans’ own alto saxophonist Donald Harrison start out playing in unison then each step up individually to blow. These two guys really complement each other and are particularly compatible due, in part, to their time as bandmates in the “super group” The Cookers. Ditto for pianist Cables who also puts his pen to work to compose another winner “Why Not?” On that number, Gerald Cannon’s bass forwards the bottom.

Original material mingles with standards purposely chosen by Henderson such as “Totem Pole,” heard on trumpeter Lee Morgan’s iconic album The Sidewinder. Here Henderson and company give it a bossa nova beat.

Henderson’s wife, Natsuko, composed the beautifully melancholy ballad “I Am Going to Miss You, My Darling.” It’s terribly tender complete with the trumpeter’s heart-piercing solo and his and Harrison’s harmonies melded together in a cheek-to-cheek last dance.

Witness to History delivers all that the title promises as it is heard through the trumpet of the legendary Eddie Henderson one of the creators and innovators of the post-bop jazz era.