Happy Birthday Dean of Saxophonists Coleman Hawkins
🍾Coleman Randolph Hawkins (Aka Hawk and Bean), born November 21, 1904 in St. Joseph, Missouri, was a Jazz tenor saxophonist. Hawkins, known as the Dean of Saxophonists, brought a definitive sound and style into the genre. As a member of Mamie Smith Original Jazz Hounds, he was billed as “The Saxophone Boy,” at the age of 18. He made his first recordings with Mamie in 1922, the he moved to New York City, where he immediately began working with the Fletcher Henderson’s Orchestra — one of the most popular orchestras of the period. He also worked with the Chocolate Dandies, Fats Waller and McKinney’s Cotton Pickers.
Through the years, his bold tonal sound influenced generations of saxophonists Ike Quebec, Illinois Jacquet, Don Byas, and Ben Webster. His riffs were so slick, he played an early role in the discourse of bebop. His horn was so sweet on ballads, it touched the depths of your soul. Listen to his recording of “Body and Soul,” — now a jazz standard. During the 1960s, Hawkins, on Max Roach’s We Insist! Freedom Now Suite gave a jazz voice to the raging civil rights movement. In 1962, he joined forces with Duke Ellington to record for Impulse! Records label “Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins”. He also collaborated with a younger saxophonist Sonny Rollins to record “Sonny Meets Hawk”. Hark was one of the first jazz musicians to live in London and tour Europe while earning and outstanding reputation along the way. Fellow saxophonist Lester Young, known as “Pres”, commented in a 1959 interview: “As far as I’m concerned, I think Coleman Hawkins was the President first, right? As for myself, I think I’m the second one.”
Check out Coleman Hawkins’ Lover Man — Just wonderful!
Listen to Coleman Hawkins – One Note Samba (Remastered) (Full Album) and fall in love with the music played by the Pres. WOW!
Listen also Coleman Hawkins – Body and Soul
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