COLEMAN HAWKINS
The Genius Of Coleman Hawkins (Verve)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

---

Recorded in 1957 with what had to be the Verve house rhythm section of Oscar Peterson (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), and Alvin Stoller (drums), this session found Hawkins in fine form at the age of 51. Hawkins, essentially the first major tenor saxophone player, played mostly standards in a relaxed, upbeat approach. Hawkins, with his deep, expressive tone and warm, poised effort was perfect for these slow-to-mid tempo tunes.

Hawkins imparts songs such as "You're Blasé," "How Long Has This Been Going On," "Like Somebody In Love," "Ill Wind," and "In A Mellotone" with a smoldering sensuality using his sumptuous inventiveness. In lesser hands, these songs might have sounded trite and banal, but Hawkins never allows the music to slip into cheap sentimentality.

The backup musicians - Oscar Peterson and the boys - are strongly supportive. But make no mistake, this is Hawkins' show. On this recording date, the man was interested in the music and responded with imaginative and insightful solos. Hawkins never stopped developing as a musician; he was a veritable storehouse of chords and riffs, and this is a fine case in point. If you like standards and ballads played by a master of the tenor saxophone, this is a good purchase.

© 2001 - Ron Saranich