Twenty-four of Hawkins' 1949-1952 Modern sides, mostly taken from singles that came out during those years. Even by the standards of the Modern roster, Hawkins is a fairly forgotten figure -- although he was, according to the liner notes, briefly the label's biggest moneymaker. As with all of Modern's early-'50s recordings, this has a dependable urban, slightly jazzy West Coast groove, very accomplished and not as variable as one might like over the course of a couple dozen numbers. {$Hawkin...   [ read more ]

CD $21.83

If ever an artist had a right to claim the blues, it was Roy Hawkins. Born in Texas, he migrated to California in the late '30s, and by the mid-'40s the piano playing Hawkins was a fixture on the West Coast jazz and R&B scene. A car accident left him with a paralyzed arm, however, ending his piano career, but he was a subtle songwriter and singer, and his autobiographical "Why Do Everything Happen to Me" was a high-charting R&B hit in 1950. The following year another Hawkins origina...   [ read more ]

CD $21.83

Two different ensembles in which trumpeter Roy Eldridge and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins join forces are presented on this 1994 collection, in both cases playing exemplary modern jazz . The pair loved working together and represent one of the best combinations of star soloists from this genre ever executed. All references between the last word in the previous sentence and the slang expression "killing" (for playing really well) are intended. The Jazz Hour imprint's program starts off on-st...   [ read more ]

CD $11.38