Search - Coleman Hawkins :: Genius of Coleman Hawkins

Pure Genius

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 07/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Three cheers for Norman Granz and Verve Records! Back in the 50s and 60s Verve was best known for showcasing many of jazz's established stars -- Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Wes Montogmery (after he'd proven himself with Riverside), Bill Evans (also, after he'd proven himself with Riverside), and Jimmy Smith (after making a name for himself on Blue Note). But Verve also took a bigger gamble by bringing older jazz stars, many of whom had been passed by in the scene, into the studio to record now that it was the golden age of stereo. The names read like a who's who of classic jazz -- Ben Webster, Lester Young, Dizzy Gillespie and Coleman Hawkins."The Genius of Coleman Hawkins" is a true classic. Not only because we get to hear one of the be-bop masters, in good sound and good form, but because of the material on the album. There isn't much new material -- they're all old familair standards -- but Hawk plays them like an old lover. It doesn't hurt when you have the Oscar Peterson Trio backing you as it did so successfully on many Verve dates. Toss Herb Ellis in on guitar and you've got a quintet of all-stars. As if you need to be sold still, this seond issue on CD features a slew of extra tracks, alternates and so on. Along with his Ben Webster Encounter, this is the highlight of his "second career.""

The Hawk Flying

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 11/10/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a lovely 1957 recording of Coleman Hawkins with the Oscar Peterson Trio + Alvin Stoller on drums. Hawkins is one of the great Tenor players in the history of Jazz. Certainly the first great tenor player and to my mind only Sonny Rollins and Coltrane approach him in importance.



Here, by now in his 50's, Hawkins is in superb form playing with all the inventiveness, sublety and power you would expect. Take an Ellington classic like 'In A Mellowtone' and you hear all the reasons why Hawkins is rated so highly. From his reading of the tune you know the solo is going to be something special and by the 2nd chorus the Hawk IS flying, squeaks and blue notes pushed to the limit fly from the saxophone. He's helped by having the Peterson Trio of Ray Brown on bass and Herb Ellis on guitar. In fact the solo just goes on and on and they never revert back to the head - it just finishes at the end of the solo!



My reason for not giving it 5 stars is that great as Coleman Hawkins was, it would have been nice if Peterson and Ellis were given a few solo opportunities. They aren't which is a shame. For me this lack of instrumental solo variety is the albums one fault. However its still a strongly recommended album."

Genius of Coleman Hawkins Earns Its Title

Del Marsalis | 05/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Coleman Hawkins is certainly in the top 5 of most influential and creative musicians to ever play improvised American music. As a testament to his genius and powerful melodic sense, Hawkins is the only featured soloist on this recording. Supported by a classic Oscar Peterson quartet (Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Alvin Stoller), these gentleman remind us of a bygone era where romance and communication were important social commodities. Hawkins expresses these standard melodies with a flair and imagination that will convince even the pessimist that everything will be alright."