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Coleman HawkinsAmerican jazz saxophonist
Date of Birth: 21.11.1904
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins, an American jazz saxophonist, was born on November 21, 1904, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Music entered his life at an early age - he started learning to play the piano at the age of five, the cello at seven, and began mastering the tenor saxophone at nine. He became a renowned jazz musician, known for creating his own performance style and significantly influencing masters such as Lester Young and Ben Webster.
Early Life and Career
In 1918, Hawkins moved to Chicago and later studied composition and music theory at Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas. He earned a living playing in the theater orchestra in Kansas City and joined blues singer Mamie Smith's accompaniment band in 1921. In 1923, as a freelance musician, he arrived in New York and performed with Wilbur Sweatman for a short time.
During one of his performances, Fletcher Henderson noticed Hawkins, and in January 1924, he became a permanent member of Henderson's orchestra. While playing for Henderson, he developed his unique performance style - characterized by a strong, dense, and slightly rough sound of his saxophone. Some of his notable recordings with Henderson's orchestra include "Stampede," "St. Louis Shuffle," "Sugar Foot Stomp," "Dee Blues," and "One Hour."
European Period
After spending ten years with Henderson, Hawkins moved to Europe in 1934. He initially played in Jack Hilton's English big band and later performed with European jazz musicians, including Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, and Alix Combelle. During this period, his most famous compositions were "Crazy Rhythm" and "Honeysuckle Rose." He returned to the United States in 1939, where a new generation of jazz tenor saxophonists, such as Lester Young, had emerged, showcasing a completely new playing style.
However, Hawkins proved that his authority was not solely based on past achievements and further solidified his reputation as a recognized master. During jam sessions, he recorded his most famous piece, "Body and Soul," for the "Bluebird" label. In 1940, he formed his own big band, but it did not gain much popularity, leading him to disband the group the following year. Hawkins continued to play in small ensembles or as a guest musician.
Later Years and Legacy
In the mid-1940s, Hawkins regularly collaborated with his friend, trumpeter Roy Eldridge. As a veteran of the jazz scene with a long-standing career and as a legend of the swing era, he willingly played with younger musicians focused on bebop. He recorded with John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Eric Dolphy, Max Roach, and Sonny Rollins.
In the 1960s, Hawkins collaborated with Duke Ellington (album "Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins," 1962) and producer Bob Thiele's "Jazz at the Philharmonic" orchestra. In his later years, Hawkins' relevance as a musician who could bring fresh musical ideas diminished, and he started drinking heavily, losing interest in studio work. His final album, "Sirius," was released in 1966, shortly before his death.
Despite these challenges, Coleman Hawkins remains one of the greatest performers and one of the finest tenor saxophonists in the history of jazz music. He not only influenced other outstanding musicians but also made the tenor saxophone an integral part of the jazz scene.
