Search - Coleman Hawkins :: Hawk in Europe 1934-37

Coleman Hawkins's brusque tenor saxophone is heard here in several contexts from his European sojourn of the mid-1930s, with English, Dutch, and French musicians, as well as a coterie of American expatriates. While the quality of the supporting groups varies, it's important music, with Hawkins growing as an improviser. The earliest session has him with an English trio led by pianist Stanley Black, who contributes an impressionistic "Lullaby," while the group provides Hawkins with adequate support for a stellar effort on "Lady Be Good." The orchestra of Michael Warlup, recorded in Paris in 1935, gets excellent lead trumpet work from Arthur Briggs on "Avalon" and "What a Difference a Day Makes," and it provides a fine environment for Hawkins's solo architecture. The most significant performances are by Hawkins's "All Star Jam Band," four tunes from a 1937 Paris grouping that includes Benny Carter, on alto and trumpet, and guitarist Django Reinhardt. It's clearly a rare moment for each of the three to find himself among equals, and the stimulation extends to the rest of the group as well. The uptempo "Crazy Rhythm" has Hawkins accepting the challenge of Carter's playing, while "Out of Nowhere" has a particularly beautiful Reinhardt introduction, as well as a masterfully structured solo from the Hawk. --Stuart Broomer