Coleman Hawkins : NPR

Once The Stuff Of Jazz Legend, 1930s Recordings Are Finally Out

The first volume of The Savory Collection features live recordings of Coleman Hawkins, including an extended performance of "Body & Soul." William P. Gottlieb/Library of Congress hide caption

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William P. Gottlieb/Library of Congress

Music News

Once The Stuff Of Jazz Legend, 1930s Recordings Are Finally Out

December 8, 2016 • In 2010, the acquisition of William Savory's legendary collection of almost 1,000 live recordings had jazz fans salivating. Now, 40 restored tracks from the Savory archives are available on iTunes.

Once The Stuff Of Jazz Legend, 1930s Recordings Are Finally Out

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All Songs Considered

Tilly and the Wall, Tommy Tutone, Coleman Hawkins

June 1, 2006 • Tap dance pop from Tilly and the Wall; Angular '70s new wave from Delta 5; The '80s unplugged with Tommy Tutone; Jazz sax legend Coleman Hawkins; The electronica of I Am Robot and Proud and more.

Tilly and the Wall, Tommy Tutone, Coleman Hawkins

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All Songs Considered

John Lennon, Cake, TV on the Radio

November 9, 2004 • The soulful and inspired Ray LaMontagne; The homespun songs of Amy Correia; Listening to TV on the Radio; The unpredictable Vincent & Mr. Green; Ever-dry, ironic rockers Cake and more.

John Lennon, Cake, TV on the Radio

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Music Reviews

Flying High Again With 'The Hawk'

Fresh Air

July 21, 2008 • Fresh Air's jazz critic has a listen to a re-issue of The Hawk Flies High, the 1957 album from tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins — who's often credited with legitimizing that instrument in the jazz world.

Flying High Again With 'The Hawk'

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Music Interviews

The Nimble, 'Young' Hank Jones

July 17, 2007 • In a career that spans seven decades, pianist Hank Jones has worked with everyone who's anyone in jazz, including Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Billie Holiday. One of the last of his era, Jones celebrates the legends of his time, seeming to downplay his own genius.

The Nimble, 'Young' Hank Jones

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Review

Music Reviews

Marking the Coleman Hawkins Centennial

November 23, 2004 • This week marks the centennial of the birth of Coleman Hawkins, the jazz saxophonist who helped define his instrument. A new recording compiles some of Coleman Hawkins' best work, and critic Jim Fusilli says it's a must-have for any fan of American music.

Marking the Coleman Hawkins Centennial

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Music Interviews

Celebrating a Coleman Hawkins Centennial

November 20, 2004 • The legendary jazzman Coleman Hawkins would have been 100 years old Sunday. Music historians say masterpieces such as "Body and Soul" and Hawkins' dexterity on the tenor saxophone helped change the genre. His love of classical music also informed his music. Tom Vitale reports.

Celebrating a Coleman Hawkins Centennial

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Coleman Hawkins: Tenor Saxophone, Front And Center

Coleman Hawkins in 1946. William Gottlieb/The Library Of Congress hide caption

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William Gottlieb/The Library Of Congress

A Blog Supreme

Coleman Hawkins: Tenor Saxophone, Front And Center

Jazz24

November 21, 2012 • Starting in the 1920s, Hawkins made an afterthought of an instrument into one of the sounds we most identify with jazz. He also straddled the era of big band swing and later developments like bebop. Here are five songs that illustrate his genius.

Coleman Hawkins in 1946. William Gottlieb/The Library Of Congress hide caption

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William Gottlieb/The Library Of Congress

A Blog Supreme

Coleman Hawkins: Tenor Saxophone, Front And Center

Jazz24

November 21, 2012 • Starting in the 1920s, Hawkins made an afterthought of an instrument into one of the sounds we most identify with jazz. He also straddled the era of big band swing and later developments like bebop. Here are five songs that illustrate his genius.

Review

Basic Jazz Record Library

Coleman Hawkins: 'A Retrospective 1929-1963'

August 1, 2001 • According to jazz critic Murray Horwitz, Coleman Hawkins "virtually invented the tenor saxophone." Hawkins' album, A Retrospective 1929-1963, traces his prolific career from his early jazz riffs with Fletcher Henderson to collaborations with Sonny Rollins in the 1960s.

Coleman Hawkins: 'A Retrospective 1929-1963'

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American jazz saxophonist Coleman Hawkins and jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in concert with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, November 27th, 1960. Express/Getty Images hide caption

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Express/Getty Images

The NPR 100

'Body And Soul'

March 6, 2000 • Coleman Hawkins, "The Father of the Tenor Saxophone," revolutionized jazz with "Body and Soul."

'Body And Soul'

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Big Apple Jazz: Five Picks From The Orchard

iStock

Take Five: A Jazz Sampler

Big Apple Jazz: Five Picks From The Orchard

WBGO

October 19, 2009 • There are thousands of apple varieties — even a new breed called "Jazz." Much like the music that lends its name to this autumn delight, Jazz is a hybrid. The time is ripe for planning that apple-picking day trip, so get the caramel ready for five crisp, fleshy jazz tunes related to a certain favorite fall fruit.