Tuesday's Testament - Coleman Hawkins

Coleman Hawkins

“The saxophone was patented more than a half century before jazz developed but their affinity for each other might be nearly perfect. Potent, like the brass instruments whose ringing bell it shares, yet, sensitive as a clarinet thanks to the way its cane reed responds to changing embouchure, tonguing, breath, and attack, the saxophone can do everything a jazz instrument needs to do.

And no one knew it until Coleman Hawkins showed us how.“

(from the notes to Mosaic’s recording collection titled: Classic Coleman Hawkins Sessions 1922-1947 -#251)

Coleman Hawkins

Today in 1904 Coleman Hawkins was born. Some might go so far as to say that he single-handedly made the tenor saxophone a jazz instrument. Some say he was the ultimate influence on all saxophonists much as Armstrong is on the horn players. But the honor that holds the most awe for me was his ability to span the decades and fit in and even contribute to completely different styles and eras of music. He was as comfortable playing with Mamie Smith’s Jazz Band or Fletcher Henderson in the early ‘20’s as he was playing along side Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk in the late ‘60’s. That had to take a grand measure of versatility. That attribute makes him always one of my heroes; Thanks Mr. Hawkins. I did this painting of him in 1964 after a television appearance on the series “Route 66” playing a cameo character named “Snooze. For a real taste of him, see the kinescope feature still available named “The Sound of Jazz.” Heck, here's a clip. Coleman Hawkins plays the tenor solo here. Here's another, this from 1958, just to show the versatility. Okay. One last one. Here he is with Charlie Parker. Remember, Hawkins started out back in the 1920's. We lost Coleman Hawkins May 19, 1969.

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