Jazz Feature for August 6:Tenor saxophone giant Coleman Hawkins:"The Hawk Flies High"

[Gavin Walker]

Coleman Hawkins is a gentleman who is considered to be "the father of the tenor saxophone". To clarify this statement it must be said that although Hawkins was not the first to play this instrument in the early 20th century, he was the first to develop a musical language and Jazz style on the big horn. He literally put the tenor on the map and created a style which became the accepted way to play this horn. He is very much like Louis Armstrong who was the first great soloist in Jazz music and created a language on the trumpet that is still influential today. Of all the saxophone family, the Bb tenor saxophone is the most popular. Hawkins was first with his style and until Lester Young who seemed to come out of nowhere in 1936, there was no other approach to the horn. Coleman Randolph Hawkins was born in St. Joseph Missouri on November 21, 1904 and died in New York on May 19, 1969 at age 64. Hawkins was known as "Bean" ( a corruption of "Old Bean" as he always, even as a young man looked older) or "Hawk". He played piano and cello as a young man and took up the saxophone in his early teens. He began his professional career in the early 1920's and was with the important Fletcher Henderson Orchestra from 1923 until 1934. He went overseas in 1934 to join the British bandleader Jack Hylton and appeared with that band and as a soloist throughout Europe until 1939. War clouds were happening and Hawkins returned to US soil. He formed a small band of unknown players and recorded his historic version of "Body and Soul" that to this day is one of the most well-known saxophone solos. Hawkins always kept up with the times and was always open-minded as to the changes that were taking place in Jazz in the 40's. He gave Thelonious Monk his first opportunity to appear on a commercial record in 1944. Monk was part of Hawkins' working quartet. Hawkins also put together a band with such people as Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Pettiford, Max Roach et al and recorded what is considered to be the first Modern Jazz record for Apollo in February of 1944. These are just small samples of his accomplishments.

A very young Sonny Rollins grew up in the same Harlem neighbourhood where Hawkins lived and as a young boy Sonny used to wait for Hawkins to leave his house to either walk to the subway or to his big Cadillac and ask if he could carry Hawk's saxophone case for him. Hawkins was Mr. Rollins' primary influence in his early stages. Young Sonny admired Hawkins' dignity and his sartorial taste. Hawkins left a huge legacy for tenor saxophonists to pursue. Hawkins career and his playing genius lasted well into the 60's but after about 1966 due to heavy drinking and unhealthy eating habits, Hawkins' energy waned. In his final years he grew his hair long and wore a beard and paid less attention to his dress. He began to resemble an old grizzled lion. His performances ranged from sad and weak to strong and forceful as in his earlier days. Several people said that Hawkins was suffering not only from the above but from Alzheimer's Disease although in the late 60's no one knew about that ailment. Hawkins passed away of pneumonia at age 64 but left a legacy that cannot be denied.

Tonight's Jazz Feature is a great date done for Riverside Records in March of 1957. It's Hawkins only date (under his name) for the label. It came about through a visit to the Riverside office to sign a contract to appear with Thelonious Monk later that year (see "Monk's Music"). Producer and owner, Orrin Keepnews casually asked Hawkins who he would pick IF he was offered a date for Riverside. Hawkins replied naming all of the men on this date. Keepnews then said "do you want to record for me" and Hawkins replied, "sure!" The date was set up and completed in two days. This stellar band included the underrated powerhouse trumpeter Idrees Sulieman (aka Leonard Graham), trombone pioneer J.J.Johnson, pianist Hank Jones, guitarist Barry Galbraith, bass giant, Oscar Pettiford, drummer (Papa) Jo Jones and of course, Mr. Hawkins. The tunes are interesting and tight. Sulieman's "Juicy Fruit" opens the set followed by Hank Jones' "Chant" then an intriguing tune called "Think Deep" by one William Smith. Hawkins and Johnson do "Laura" proud then onto Gigi Gryce's "Blue Lights" and the set ends with a triumphant gospel-flavoured Hawkins' original called "Sancticity". "The Hawk Flies High" is a five-star album and a fine showcase for all the talent involved.

The Hawkins' Feature will be heard in it's entirety shortly after 11pm but because of Hawkins' influence and stature, we'll be presenting a number of significant Hawkins' performances throughout the entire show beginning of course, right at 9pm. Please join me and end the long week-end with some great Jazz. See you then..........................................