COLEMAN HAWKINS
The Hawk Flies High (Original Jazz Classics)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Coleman Hawkins is considered the first major tenor saxophone player, since he was the first to successfully play jazz on his chosen instrument. Until Hawkins, the saxophone was simply considered a backup tool to the popular songs of the time. It was at a Hawkins session in 1944; when he was joined by Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Pettiford, and Max Roach; that the very first Bebop was recorded. Hawkins continued to grow and experiment throughout his career, remaining a outstanding improviser and inventor till the very end.

Hawkins had a heavy, masculine, sensual tone full of vibrato that was easily recognizable. On The Hawk Flies High, he used this sound to near perfection, ripping off one confident, swinging solo after another. Joined by a hand-picked band of J.J. Johnson on trombone, Idrees Sulieman on trumpet, Hank Jones on piano, Barry Galbraith on guitar, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and Jo Jones on drums, Hawkins created a classic album of "full-scale, multi-chorus blowing" that was simultaneously powerful yet buoyant.

Beginning with the enchanting opening number "Chant" and ending with the righteous "Sancticity", Hawkins was intensely focused and lyrical throughout. His playing on "Think Deep" was sensitive and creative. Hawkins, 51 when this session was recorded, was inspired playing with these consummate professions who were at least 20 years his juniors. Purchase The Hawk Flies High and hear one of the legends of tenor sax perform late in his career when he still had his chops and could play like fine, aged wine.

© 2000 - Ron Saranich