Erskine Hawkins

Erskine Hawkins

Erskine Ramsay Hawkins (July 26, 1914 – November 11, 1993) was an American trumpeter and big band leader from Birmingham, Alabama, dubbed "The 20th Century Gabriel". He is best remembered for composing the jazz standard "Tuxedo Junction" (1939) with saxophonist and arranger Bill Johnson. The song became a hit during World War II, rising to No. 7 nationally (version by the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) and to No. 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 26, 1914 (Birmingham), Died November 11, 1993 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1938 - 1960

Roles Represented in DAHR: trumpet, director, composer, songwriter

Notes: Known as "The 20th Century Gabriel."

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 101-125 of 149 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	D6VB-1956	10-in.	10/7/1946	Hawk's boogie	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet, composer
Victor	D6VB-1957	10-in.	10/7/1946	Sammy's nightmare	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet, composer
Victor	D6VB-2841	10-in.	9/11/1946	Somebody loves me	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Erskine Hawkins	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	D6VB-2842	10-in.	9/11/1946	I had a good cry	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band and trombone solo	director, instrumentalist, trumpet, composer
Victor	D7VB-0296	10-in.	4/30/1947	My baby didn't even say goodbye	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Erskine Hawkins	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	D7VB-0297	10-in.	4/30/1947	Coast to coast	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Erskine Hawkins	Jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet, composer
Victor	D7VB-0298	10-in.	4/30/1947	Ain't I losin' you?	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	D7VB-1570	10-in.	8/26/1947	Fool that I am	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	D7VB-1572	10-in.	8/26/1947	I'm so doggone melancholy	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Vocal solo with jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, director, songwriter
Victor	D7VB-2672	10-in.	12/18/1947	Needle points	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Erskine Hawkins	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, composer
Victor	D7VB-2847	10-in.	12/18/1947	Big fat Sam	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Male vocal solo, with vocal chorus and jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	D7VB-2848	10-in.	12/18/1947	Sad eyes	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Laura Washington	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	D7VB-2849	10-in.	12/18/1947	Lazy blues	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Erskine Hawkins	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, composer
Victor	D7VB-2949	10-in.	12/23/1947	Gabriel's heater	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Erskine Hawkins	Jazz/dance band	director
Victor	D7VB-2950	10-in.	12/23/1947	I'd love to make love to you	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Erskine Hawkins ; Laura Washington	Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	director
Victor	D8VB-4090	10-in.	12/21/1948	Corn bread	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	D8VB-4091	10-in.	12/21/1948	Bewildered	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	D8VB-4092	10-in.	12/21/1948	Cold hearted woman	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	D8VB-4093	10-in.	12/21/1948	Brooklyn bounce	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	director, instrumentalist, trumpet, composer
Victor	D9VB-0280	10-in.	3/11/1949	Texas hop	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	D9VB-0281	10-in.	3/11/1949	I wish somebody cared enough to cry	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	76827		9/11/1950	so long, goodbye blues	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	76828		9/11/1950	Skippin' and hoppin'	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	76829		9/11/1950	Down beat	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet
Decca	76830		9/11/1950	Tennessee waltz	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra		instrumentalist, trumpet

(Results 101-125 of 149 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Hawkins, Erskine," accessed November 1, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103922.

Hawkins, Erskine. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 1, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103922.

"Hawkins, Erskine." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 1 November 2024.