HomeArticle By: P. Mancini
The people that have read my writings by now know my love for jazz, not only
for the music, but I believe it is an art that relies on the alignment of the
planets to achieve its unique and improvisational qualities. Hawkins brought the
sound of the tenor saxophone to the lead position in modern jazz and pioneered
improvisation of his instrument. Countless jazz musicians imitated him. In 1938
he wrote 'body and soul', by far his most popular piece to date. After playing
in Fletcher Henderson's band in the mid twenties, for about ten years. He
acquired acts like Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach and the legendary Thelonious Monk.
He Died in 1969, but still has massive amounts of influence on today's
mainstream and avant-garde jazz musicians.