Coleman Hawkins, affectionately known as the "Father of the Tenor Saxophone," was a trailblazing jazz musician whose career helped elevate the saxophone to a solo spotlight previously dominated by brass instruments. Born on November 21, 1904, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Hawkins started his musical journey on the cello but soon switched to the saxophone. By the age of 20, he was playing with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, where his innovative approach to the instrument set the stage for future generations of jazz saxophonists.

Hawkins's tenure with Henderson lasted until 1934, during which he became an influential figure in the transition from the hot jazz of the 1920s to the swing era. His 1939 recording of "Body and Soul" stands as one of the most acclaimed saxophone solos in jazz history, emblematic of his rich, vibrato-laden tone and harmonic sophistication. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Coleman Hawkins continued to evolve with the currents of jazz, embracing bebop and collaborating with other luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie and Max Roach. Despite his passing in 1969, his contributions to jazz remain invaluable, with a legacy that continues to inspire and educate through posthumous releases and restored live recordings from his extensive touring career.

Genres

Bebop

Jazz

Jazz Saxophone

Related Artists

Lester Young

Sonny Rollins

Charlie Parker

Ben Webster

Dexter Gordon

Stan Getz

Benny Carter

Johnny Hodges

John Coltrane

Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis

Dizzy Gillespie

Wayne Shorter

Latest Release

On Prestige

Coleman Hawkins

Album - 24 Tracks - Released November 13, 2024