Coleman Hawkins Albums (54)
What The Critics Say
Verve's Norman Granz took his microphones and equipment to the fourth annual Newport Jazz Festival in July of 1957 and recorded extensively there, catching several live sets by both established and up-and-coming jazz artists in wonderfully clear sonic fullness, including this Friday evening kickoff set in Freebody Park from an all-star band led by the legendary tenor saxman Coleman Hawkins and including Roy Eldridge on trumpet, Pete Brown on alto sax, Ray Bryant on piano, Al McKibbon on bass, and Jo Jones on drums. It's a joyous affair driven by Jones' propulsive drumming and a couple of well-placed ballads like "Day by Day" interspersed through the set before the whole band jumps in for a rousing finale on the old chestnut "Sweet Georgia Brown," which here sounds wonderfully fresh and agile. The performance was originally released by Verve on LP in 1958 and now, some 50 years later, on CD. The sound quality is remarkable, with studio-level clarity while still capturing the energy, intimacy, and vitality of a festive live gig, complete with introductions and announcements, all of which makes this a delightful snapshot of a veteran band of musicians who are doing what they do best. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
'Coleman Hawkins with the Red Garland Trio'
Release Date 8/21/2006
Tracks 5
Label JVC Japan
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Accent on Tenor Sax'
Release Date 11/16/2004
Tracks 8
Label Fresh Sound
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What The Critics Say
A mid-'50s tenor sax workout by the immortal soloist Coleman Hawkins. This was originally issued on Urania and wasn't spectacular, but did have some nicely played blues and ballads. It has been reissued on CD by Fresh Sounds. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This 1954 studio date by Coleman Hawkins finds the tenor saxophonist in great form, joined by a fine group that includes pianist Billy Taylor, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Jo Jones, trombonist Eddie Bert, and trumpeter Emmett Berry. Hawkins' boppish take on "Cheek to Cheek" moves at a fast clip, though he never exhausts himself of ideas. The full sextet is heard on a portion of the session, including a lush but brisk take of "Lullaby of Birdland," a snappy run through "Get Happy," and the old swinger "Blue Lou." There are many strong solos by the supporting cast, but it's difficult to eclipse the sound of Hawkins' tenor when he is in top form as on this CD. Although it is hard for many collectors to afford picking up every single recommended release by Coleman Hawkins, this one should be grabbed quickly, as Prevue's life as a reissue label ended rather prematurely. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Live in Concert'
Release Date 1/1/1995
Tracks 6
Label Band Stand - (import)
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The material here dates from the 1959 Newport Jazz Festival and an English show some three years later. The opening Newport track, Benny Goodman's "Soft Winds," is kicked off by Ray Bryant's piano, with Eldridge coming in and then Hawkins, each showing off his differing but ultimately compatible approach to the material, which simmers and boils for 11 minutes. The fidelity is excellent on this and its neighboring track, a hot version of Hawkins' arrangement of "Sweet Sue," despite their live origins. Hawkins' arrangement of "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" is a long, sweet, mellow jam in which the Hawk spreads his wings gradually over the last six minutes, joined by Eldridge in a soaring finale. There's more noise on the British tracks -- which include "Autumn Leaves," "If I Had You," and a killer extended jam to Hawkins' "Disorder at the Border" -- although the sound is fairly close and intimate. The band on the Newport tracks includes Ray Bryant at the piano, Tommy Bryant on bass, and Oliver Jackson on drums, while the group on the British sides is Tommy Flanagan at the piano, Major Holley on bass, and Eddie Locke on drums. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This studio session for Savoy finds the great Hawkins playing as part of a five-piece sax section. Actually the other saxophonists and part of the rhythm section were taken from the Count Basie Orchestra and outfitted with arrangements by Billy Ver Planck. They play a variety of little-known but swinging material; the logical charts and high-quality solos make this LP well worth acquiring. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
