Collection: Coleman Hawkins

Coleman Hawkins, nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist who transformed the instrument from a novelty into one of the most important voices in jazz. Born November 21, 1904 in St Joseph, Missouri, he began studying piano at age four, cello at seven, and received a tenor saxophone for his ninth birthday. He was the first major saxophonist in jazz history and the first to tailor his method of improvisation to the saxophone rather than imitate clarinet techniques.

Hawkins gained prominence with Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra from 1923 to 1934, where his virtuosic, arpeggiated approach to improvisation established him as one of the great jazz artists. His 1939 recording of 'Body and Soul' became one of the most imitated solos in jazz history and is considered a landmark of the swing era. He embraced bebop in the 1940s, recording with Dizzy Gillespie and Max Roach in what were apparently the earliest bebop recordings. His deep, full-bodied tone and quick vibrato influenced generations of saxophonists including Ben Webster, Chu Berry, Lester Young, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. He died on May 19, 1969 in New York.