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Coleman Hawkins was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri and went to school in Kansas City, Missouri. In his youth he played piano and cello, and started playing sax at age 9; by age 16 he was playing professionally. He joined Mamie Smith's Jazz Hounds in 1921 with whom he toured through 1923, at which time he settled in New York City. Hawkins joined Fletcher HendersonFletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. December 18, 1897 December 28, 1952) was an African American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and Swing music. Henderson was born in Cuthbert, Georgia. His father wa's Orchestra, which whom he played through 1934Events January-April January 1 Alcatraz becomes a federal prison. January 7 First Flash Gordon comic strip is published. January 10 Execution of Marinus van der Lubbe January 24 Einstein visits White House January 26 The Apollo Theater opens in Harlem, Ne, sometimes doubling on clarinetThe clarinet (sometimes historically spelled clarionet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family. A person who plays the clarinet is called a clarinettist. Professional clarinets are made from African hardwood, often grenadilla or (rarely) Honduran r and bass saxophone . Hawkins' playing changed significantly during Louis ArmstrongLouis Daniel Armstrong ( August 4, 19011 July 6, 1971) (also known by the nickname Satchmo was an African American jazz musician. Probably the most famous jazz musician of the 20th century, Armstrong was a charismatic, innovative performer whose musical s's tenure with the Henderson Orchestra.
During the mid to late 1930sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s Years: 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 Events and trends Technology Jet engine invented Link Trainer invented Sc, Hawkins toured EuropeFor the band of the same name, see Europe (band . Europe is a continent forming the westermost part of the Eurasian supercontinent. Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Se as a soloist, playing with Jack HyltonJack Hylton ( July 2, 1892 January 29, 1965) was a band leader and impresario in the North-West of England. He was born in Great Lever, Lancashire and died in London. The people he worked with included: Arthur Askey Shirley Bassey Maurice Chevalier The Cr, Django ReinhardtJean Baptiste "Django" Reinhardt ( January 23, 1910 May 16, 1953) was a Belgian Gypsy jazz musician. Born in Liberchies, Belgium, Reinhardt spent most of his youth in a gypsy encampments close to Paris, France, playing banjo, guitar and violin from an ear and many other groups until returning to the USA in 1939. He then recorded what some feel is the seminal jazz record, Body and Soul.
He then led a band at Kelly's Stables in New York, then toured around the USA before returning to Europe in 1948.
Hawkins thereafter divided his time between New York and Europe, making numerous freelance recordings, including with Duke Ellington in 1962. In the 1960s he appeared regularly at the Village Vanguard in Manhattan.
During his long career "Hawk" was always inventive and seeking new challenges. He directly influenced many bebop performers, and later in his career, recorded or performed with such adventurous musicians as Sonny Rollins and Max Roach.
What was up to date in jazz changed radically over the decades. When record collectors would play his early 1920s recordings during Hawkins' later years he would sometimes deny his presence on them, since the playing on the old records sounded so dated.
Coleman Hawkins died in New York City.