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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZHAWKINS, Erskine(b Erskine Ramsey Hawkins, 26 July '14, Birmingham AL; d 11 Nov. '93, Willingboro NJ) Trumpet, bandleader. Father killed in WWI. Played drums age seven, then trombone, then trumpet at 13. At Montgomery State Teachers' College led 'Bama State Collegians; band visited NYC '34 led by J. B. Sims, '36 by Hawkins. Bookings incl. success at Harlem's Savoy Ballroom; recorded for Vocalion but switched to Victor '38--50. Arrangers in heyday incl. pianist Avery Parrish (wrote classic blues 'After Hours', recorded by band in '40; b 24 Jan. '17, Birmingham; injured in bar in LA '42 and never played again; d Dec. '59 NYC), alto sax Bill Johnson (b 30 Sep. '12, Jacksonville FL; d 5 July '60 NYC), trumpeter Sam Lowe (b 14 May '18, Birmingham, d there 17 Feb. '93 in a fire; later mus. dir. for rock'n'roll bands; excellent chapter on his work in Stanley Dance's The World Of Swing). Hawkins was a high-note specialist on trumpet, billed as 'The 20th-Century Gabriel'; other soloists incl. Dud Bascomb, Julian Dash, Paul Bascomb (Dud's brother; absent '38--40 leading own group). The band made about 140 sides for Bluebird or Victor, evolving from swing band to R&B-ish 'jump band' style, always at home with the blues. Novelty swing version of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Let The Punishment Fit The Crime' '38 had vocal by alto saxist Jimmy Mitchelle; biggest hit was 'Tuxedo Junction' '39, written by Hawkins, Dash and Johnson, covered by Glenn Miller for a classic of the whole era. 'Dolemite' was a top ten pop hit '40; 'No Soap' (by Lowe), 'Swingin' On Lenox Avenue', 'Gin Mill Special', 'Uptown Shuffle' '38--9, 'Tippin' In' '45 all highly valued. (Trumpeter Bobby Smith wrote 'Tippin' In'; played for Hawkins '44--60 and recorded under his own name, Apollo tracks '49--54 compiled on Delmark as That's For Sure.) Hawkins received honorary Doctorate in Music from Alabama State '47. Changed to Coral label '50--52 (R&B hit 'Tennessee Waltz' '50 was a 'sleeper': it kept selling for several years in all markets without charting), then King. By '60s leading smaller combo except for special engagements; guested with Sy Oliver at Carnegie Hall '74, played Nice Festival '79 backed by the NY Jazz Repertory Orchestra. French RCA has issued complete '38-- 50 material in several sets, all excellent entertainment; The Original Tuxedo Junction on BMG CD is a good compilation. |