Some people say there was no jazz tenor before me. All I know is I just had a way of playing and I didn’t think in terms of any other instrument but the tenor.
About Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed “Hawk” and sometimes “Bean”, was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. One of the first prominent jazz musicians on his instrument, as Joachim E. Berendt explained: “there were some tenor players before him, but the instrument was not an acknowledged jazz horn”.
More quotes from Coleman Hawkins
Music should always be an adventure.
American jazz saxophonist (1904-1969)
I honestly can’t characterize my style in words. It seems that whatever comes to me naturally, I play.
American jazz saxophonist (1904-1969)
I made the tenor sax – there’s nobody plays like me and I don’t play like anybody else.
American jazz saxophonist (1904-1969)
If you don’t make mistakes, you aren’t really trying.
American jazz saxophonist (1904-1969)
Some people say there was no jazz tenor before me. All I know is I just had a way of playing and I didn’t think in terms of any other instrument but the tenor.
American jazz saxophonist (1904-1969)