Erskine Hawkins
Encyclopedia
Erskine Ramsay Hawkins was an American
trumpet
player and big band
leader from Birmingham, Alabama
, dubbed "The 20th Century Gabriel". He is most remembered for composing the jazz
standard "Tuxedo Junction
" (1939) with saxophonist and arranger Bill Johnson
. The song became a popular hit during World War II
, rising to #7 nationally (version by the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) and to #1 nationally (version by the Glenn Miller
Orchestra). Vocalists who were featured with Erskine's orchestra include Ida James, Delores Brown and Della Reese
. Hawkins was named after Alabama industrialist Erskine Ramsay.
who was rewarding parents with savings accounts for them for doing so. Hawkins attended Councill Elementary School and Industrial High School (now known as Parker High School
) in Birmingham, Alabama
. At Industrial High School, he played in the band directed by Fess Whatley, a teacher who trained numerous African-American musicians, many of whom populated the bands of famed band leaders such as Duke Ellington
, Lucky Millinder
, Louis Armstrong
and Skitch Henderson
(of the NBC Orchestra.)
in Kiamesha Lake
, New York. from 1967 to 1989. Hawkins died in Willingboro, New Jersey in November 1993, at the age of 79.
. In 1989, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame
. Hawkins was a contemporary of another Birmingham jazz musician, Sun Ra
. The story of the Hawkins legacy continues to be told today, during tours of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Museum, by Ray Reach
(Director of Student Jazz Programs) and Dr. Frank Adams, (Director of Education, Emeritus) at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
celebrated the 95th anniversary of Hawkins' birth, by featuring music performed by Hawkins.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
player and big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
leader from Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, dubbed "The 20th Century Gabriel". He is most remembered for composing the jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
standard "Tuxedo Junction
Tuxedo Junction
"Tuxedo Junction" is a song co-written by Birmingham, Alabama composer Erskine Hawkins and saxophonist and arranger Bill Johnson. Julian Dash is also credited for the music. The song was introduced by Hawkins's orchestra. Lyrics were by Buddy Feyne...
" (1939) with saxophonist and arranger Bill Johnson
Bill Johnson (reed player)
Bill Johnson was an American alto saxophonist, clarinetist, and arranger....
. The song became a popular hit during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, rising to #7 nationally (version by the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) and to #1 nationally (version by the Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
Orchestra). Vocalists who were featured with Erskine's orchestra include Ida James, Delores Brown and Della Reese
Della Reese
Delloreese Patricia Early, known professionally as Della Reese , is an American actress, singer, game show panelist of the 1970s, one-time talk-show hostess and ordained minister. She started her career in the 1950s as a gospel, pop and jazz singer, scoring a hit with her 1959 single "Don't You...
. Hawkins was named after Alabama industrialist Erskine Ramsay.
Early years
Erskine Hawkins was named by his parents after Alabama industrialist Erskine RamsayErskine Ramsay
Erskine Ramsay was an Alabama industrialist born September 24, 1864in Allegheny co, PA. His family came from the same town as Andrew Carnegie. Erskine Ramsay's father, a mining engineer, followed Carnegie to Pittsburgh hearing of his success there. The younger Ramsay started working in cooperative...
who was rewarding parents with savings accounts for them for doing so. Hawkins attended Councill Elementary School and Industrial High School (now known as Parker High School
A. H. Parker High School
A.H. Parker High School is a public high school located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school educates over 1,000 students in grades 9 to 12 in the Birmingham City Schools district.As of 2010 the principal is Cedric Tatum.- History :A.H...
) in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. At Industrial High School, he played in the band directed by Fess Whatley, a teacher who trained numerous African-American musicians, many of whom populated the bands of famed band leaders such as Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, Lucky Millinder
Lucky Millinder
Lucius Venable "Lucky" Millinder was an American rhythm and blues and swing bandleader. Although he could not read or write music, did not play an instrument and rarely sang, his showmanship and musical taste made his bands successful...
, Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
and Skitch Henderson
Skitch Henderson
Lyle Russell Cedric “Skitch” Henderson was a pianist, conductor, and composer. His nickname reportedly derived from his ability to quickly "re-sketch" a song in a different key.- Biography :...
(of the NBC Orchestra.)
Later years
Hawkins was trumpeter and band leader in the lobby bar and show nightclub at The Concord Resort HotelConcord Resort Hotel
The Concord Resort Hotel was a world-famous destination for visitors to the so-called Borscht Belt part of the Catskills, known for its large resort industry in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. Located in Kiamesha Lake, New York, the Concord was the largest resort in the region until its closing in 1998...
in Kiamesha Lake
Kiamesha Lake
Kiamesha Lake is a hamlet in the town of Thompson in east-central Sullivan County, New York, United States. The zip code for Kiamesha Lake is 12751....
, New York. from 1967 to 1989. Hawkins died in Willingboro, New Jersey in November 1993, at the age of 79.
Induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
In 1978, Erskine Hawkins became one of the first five artists inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of FameAlabama Jazz Hall of Fame
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame was founded in 1978, and opened a museum on September 18, 1993, with a mission "to foster, encourage, educate, and cultivate a general appreciation of the medium of jazz music as a legitimate, original and distinctive art form indigenous to America...
. In 1989, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Alabama Music Hall of Fame
The Alabama Music Hall of Fame, first conceived by the Muscle Shoals Music Association in the early 1980s, was created by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Board, which then saw to its Phase One construction of a after a state-wide referendum in 1987...
. Hawkins was a contemporary of another Birmingham jazz musician, Sun Ra
Sun Ra
Sun Ra was a prolific jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his "cosmic philosophy," musical compositions and performances. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama...
. The story of the Hawkins legacy continues to be told today, during tours of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Museum, by Ray Reach
Ray Reach
Raymond Everett Reach, Jr. is an American pianist, vocalist and educator residing in Birmingham, Alabama, now serving as Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, director of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars and President and CEO of Ray Reach Music and Magic City...
(Director of Student Jazz Programs) and Dr. Frank Adams, (Director of Education, Emeritus) at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
Tributes
On his final Sunday night radio show (July 26, 2009) Malcolm LaycockMalcolm Laycock
Malcolm Richard Laycock was a British radio presenter and producer, best known for his work on programmes related to jazz, dance band and big band music. During his career he presented shows for both BBC Radio 2 and the BBC World Service...
celebrated the 95th anniversary of Hawkins' birth, by featuring music performed by Hawkins.
External links
- Erskine Hawkins biography at the Alabama Music Hall of FameAlabama Music Hall of FameThe Alabama Music Hall of Fame, first conceived by the Muscle Shoals Music Association in the early 1980s, was created by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Board, which then saw to its Phase One construction of a after a state-wide referendum in 1987...
website - Erskine Hawkins biography at All About Jazz
- [ Erskine Hawkins biography] at Allmusic.com