Description
Coleman Hawkins was the first important tenor saxophonist and he remains one of the greatest of all time. A consistently modern improviser whose knowledge of chords and harmonies was encyclopedic, Hawkins had a 40-year prime (1925-1965) during which he could hold his own with any competitor.Coleman Hawkins started piano lessons when he was five, switched to cello at age seven, and two years later began on tenor. At a time when the saxophone was considered a novelty instrument, used in vaudeville and as a poor substitute for the trombone in marching bands, Hawkins sought to develop his own sound. A professional when he was 12, Hawkins was playing in a Kansas City theater pit band in 1921, whenMamie Smithhired him to play with herJazz Hounds. Hawkins was with the blues singer until June 1923, making many records in a background role and he was occasionally heard on instrumentals. After leavingSmith, he freelanced around New York, played briefly withWilbur Sweatman, and in August 1923 made his first recordings withFletcher Henderson.
Hawkins appeared in a wide variety of settings, fromRed Allen‘s heated Dixieland band at the Metropole and leading a bop date featuringIdrees SuliemanandJ.J. Johnson, to guest appearances on records that includedThelonious Monk,John Coltrane, and (in the early ’60s)Max RoachandEric Dolphy. During the first half of the 1960s, Coleman Hawkins had an opportunity to record withDuke Ellington, collaborated on one somewhat eccentric session withSonny Rollins, and even did a bossa nova album. This album was recorded in 1962, Hawkins quartet featuring Tommy Flanagan (Piano), Major Holley (Bass) and Eddie Locke (Drums) puts forth an easily palatable selection of repertoire, with up-tempo moments like Go Lil Liza, & “Swingin Scotch” alongside a trio of ballads including Quincy Jones Quintessence. via Label
Label: Impulse!
Series:Verve By Request
Format:Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
Reissued: 2024 / Original Release: 1962
Genre:Jazz
Style:Bop
File under: Jazz – Saxophone
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