Coleman Hawkins

Coleman Randolph Hawkins, nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969) was a prominent jazz tenor saxophone musician. He was an important pioneer on the instrument, and m

Coleman Randolph Hawkins, nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969) was a prominent jazz tenor saxophone musician. He was an important pioneer on the instrument, and many consider him the father of jazz saxophone.

Coleman Hawkins was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri in 1904. Some out-of-date sources say 1901, but there is no evidence to prove such an early date. He was named Coleman after his mother Cordelia's maiden name. He attended high school in Chicago, then in Topeka, Kansas.