Results for "Coleman Hawkins"

Lineage: Rock and Pop Classics Revisited

by Chris M. Slawecki
January 16, 2014

In 2010, saxophonist Dave Liebman and drummer Michael Stephans began tossing around cover song ideas with guitarist Vic Juris, who was featured in the Liebman Group from 1991 through 2012. These conversations were soon joined by bassist Evan Gregor, keyboard player Bobby Avey and woodwinds player Matt Vashilishan. The resultant Lineage, subtitled Rock and Pop Classics ...

Vámanos – Let’s Go!

by Chris M. Slawecki
January 13, 2014

As jazz continues to indelibly leave imprints on music all over the globe, this column explores everything from classic 1960s and '70 singles from Peru to contemporary updates of traditional blues from Turkey and Greece. Vámanos--let's go! Ҫiğdem Aslan Mortissa Asphalt Tango 2013 Ҫiğdem Aslan was born in the ...

Gene Rodgers: Lost Pianist

January 8, 2014

One of jazz's most enduring hits is Coleman Hawkins' October 1939 recording of Body and Soul. The rendition ranks pretty near the top of every jazz fan's list of favorites in terms of daring and influence. The tenor saxophone came into prominence after Hawk's recording and its sound would never be the same. [Pictured above, Gene ...

Frank Wess: Magic 201

by Dan McClenaghan
January 1, 2014

Saxophonist Frank Wess was born in 1922. He played in Billy Ecstine's orchestra, after World War II interrupted his burgeoning career, and he played in Count Basie's band from 1953 to 1964. With those early experiences on his resume, the fact that he was a traditionalist in the mode of saxophonists Ben Webster, of Duke Ellington ...

Young Coleman Hawkins Speaks and Plays

December 27, 2013

After Coleman Hawkins left Fletcher Henderson in 1934, he spent nearly five years touring in Europe. Having established the saxophone as a serious jazz instrument, he provided significant inspiration among European musicians as jazz took a solid foothold on the continent and in the British Isles. Hawkins appeared with bands in England, Switzerland, France and Holland, ...

Pianist and Educator Jimmy Amadie Passes Away at Age 76 After Long Battle with Cancer

December 16, 2013

Jimmy Amadie, the celebrated Philadelphia pianist and educator known for his contributions in improvisational jazz theory, passed away on December 10, 2013 in Philadelphia, PA. He was 76. His death comes after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007. Amadie was known not only for his supreme musicality, but also for his unrelenting fighting spirit. As ...

South of France Blues

Featuring the music of Coleman Hawkins
Duration: 6:56
November 27, 2013

Jazz Musician of the Day: Coleman Hawkins

November 21, 2013

All About Jazz is celebrating Coleman Hawkins' birthday today! Coleman Hawkins single-handedly brought the saxophone to the prominence in jazz that the instrument enjoys. Before he hit the scene, jazz groups had little use for the instrument. One player (forgot who) said, “with all due respect to Adolph Sax, Coleman Hawkins invented the saxophone." Hawkins, or ...

Harry Allen and the Physics of the Tenor Saxophone

by Nick Catalano
November 17, 2013

In Robert Altman's most underappreciated film Kansas City there is a memorable scene for music fans. In the 1930's at the Hey Hey club (one of the town's hotter venues) some of the more notable K.C. folk (politicians, society matrons, wealthy denizens) are having a good time. Everyone in town recognizes these eminent figures but ignores ...

Chris Searle: Red Groove

by Duncan Heining
November 1, 2013

Red Groove Chris Searle 283 pages ISBN: 978-1907869495 Five Leaves 2013 The life story of poet, teacher, author and activist Chris Searle is as intriguing as that of many of the musicians he discusses in Red Groove. Teaching at an inner city school in ...