Coleman Hawkins: On Broadway

Alex Henderson

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Published: October 1, 1997

A generous 76-minute CD, Coleman Hawkins On Broadway contains 1962 recordings originally heard on three LPs: Good Old Broadway, Coleman Hawkins Plays Make Someone Happy From Do Re Mi and The Coleman Hawkins Quartet Plays The Jazz Version Of No Strings. All of the songs Hawk interprets were from Broadway plays, and everything boasts the sparkling Tommy Flanagan on piano, Major Holley on bass and Eddie Locke on drums. Fast-tempo aggression isn't a priority here—instead, the seminal tenor saxman brings a relaxed confidence to standards like "The Sweetest Sounds," "Make Someone Happy" and "Get Out Of Town." Comfortable tempos are the rule, and in fact, much of this CD can function quite well as nocturnal mood music—but mood music of a consistently high quality. And as usual, Hawk's big, breathy tone is something to savor.

Reprinted with the permission of Myrna Daniels and L.A. Jazz Scene , the largest jazz publication in Southern California.

Record Label: Prestige Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream