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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 Audio
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 24, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103922.

Hawkins, Erskine. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103922.

"Hawkins, Erskine." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/103922

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