Erskine Hawkins

Biography

Erskine Ramsay Hawkins (July 26, 1914 – November 11, 1993) was an influential American trumpeter, composer, and big band leader born in Birmingham, Alabama. Nicknamed 'The 20th Century Gabriel' for his dazzling trumpet technique and ability to hit high notes, Hawkins began his musical journey as a drummer at age seven, then moved to trombone, and finally settled on trumpet at thirteen. He attended Alabama State Teachers College in Montgomery, where he led the college band, the 'Bama State Collegians. In 1934, Hawkins and his band traveled to New York City, where their energetic performances at the Savoy Ballroom led to professional success and the evolution of the group into the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra.

Hawkins' orchestra became a staple of the swing era, recording hits such as the jazz standard 'Tuxedo Junction' (1939), co-written with Bill Johnson and Julian Dash. The band's signature sound featured a strong, swinging rhythm section and showcased Hawkins' flamboyant trumpet solos. The orchestra was especially popular among African American audiences and maintained a loyal following through the 1940s and into the early 1950s, outlasting many other big bands as musical tastes shifted. Hawkins' later work leaned more toward rhythm and blues, and he continued performing and recording into his seventies.

His legacy includes not only his own recordings but also his role in discovering and nurturing talented musicians who passed through his orchestra. Hawkins was inducted into both the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and his influence is recognized in the enduring popularity of 'Tuxedo Junction' and his impact on future generations of jazz and R&B musicians.

Fun Facts

• Hawkins was named after Alabama industrialist Erskine Ramsay, who was a friend of his mother.
• He composed 'Tuxedo Junction' as a tribute to a Birmingham neighborhood nightspot, and the song became a swing era classic.
• Hawkins' orchestra's version of 'Tuxedo Junction' was a major hit, but the Glenn Miller Orchestra's cover outsold it among white audiences.
• He was one of the first five inductees into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1978.

Associated Acts

• Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Alabama State Teachers College music faculty - Provided formal musical education and early band leadership opportunities (Bama State Collegians) [early 1930s]

Key Collaborators

• Bill Johnson - Saxophonist and arranger; co-wrote 'Tuxedo Junction' and worked as a key arranger (Tuxedo Junction, Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) [1930s-1940s]
• Julian Dash - Tenor saxophonist; co-wrote 'Tuxedo Junction' and performed in the orchestra (Tuxedo Junction, Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) [1930s-1940s]
• Dud Bascomb - Trumpeter; shared trumpet solos and was a prominent member of the orchestra (Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) [1930s-1940s]
• Avery Parrish - Pianist; contributed to the orchestra's sound and success (Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) [1930s-1940s]
• Haywood Henry - Baritone saxophonist; key member of the orchestra (Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) [1930s-1940s]
• Sammy Lowe - Arranger and trumpeter; contributed arrangements and performances (Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) [1940s]
• Ida James, Delores Brown, Della Reese - Vocalists; performed and recorded with the orchestra (Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) [1940s-1950s]

Artists Influenced

• Ray Charles - Cited Hawkins as a chief musical influence, especially in early R&B style (Early R&B recordings) [1940s-1950s]
• Della Reese - Vocalist who performed with Hawkins' orchestra and later became a star in her own right (Performances with Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) [1940s-1950s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Dolomite (After Hours)
2. After Hours (Taint No Good)
3. Tuxedo Junction
4. Shipyard Ramble (The Best)
5. Hawk's Boogie
6. Keep Cool, Fool - Remastered (The One and Only: Erskine Hawkins)
7. Hawk's Boogie (Jukebox Hits 1940-1950)
8. Shipyard Ramble
9. Tippin' In
10. Gin Mill Special (arr. S. Lowe)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz, #swing