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 1-25 of 149 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BS-026855	10-in.	9/12/1938	(Shango, shango, shangoree) Rockin' rollers' jubilee	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-026856	10-in.	9/12/1938	I'm madly in love with you	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Merle Turner	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-026857	10-in.	9/12/1938	Let this be a warning to you, baby	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-026858	10-in.	9/12/1938	Miss Hallelujah Brown	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-026859	10-in.	9/12/1938	Weary blues	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-026860	10-in.	9/12/1938	King Porter stomp	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-027958	10-in.	10/20/1938	Strictly swing	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	songwriter, instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-027959	10-in.	10/20/1938	Do you want to jump, children?	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-027960	10-in.	10/20/1938	(Oh! Oh!) What do you know about love?	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-027961	10-in.	10/20/1938	A study in blue	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-027962	10-in.	10/20/1938	Easy rider (I wonder where my easy rider's gone)	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-027963	10-in.	10/20/1938	Because of you	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	songwriter, instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-035719	10-in.	4/8/1939	"I," the living "I"	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BS-035720	10-in.	4/8/1939	Let the punishment fit the crime	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BS-035721	10-in.	4/8/1939	Swing out (Theme song of Erskine Hawkins)	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer, director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BS-035722	10-in.	4/8/1939	Raid the joint	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer, director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BS-036943	10-in.	5/14/1939	Big-wig in the wigwam	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Ida James	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-036944	10-in.	5/14/1939	Polka dotty (Come out tonight)	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-036945	10-in.	5/14/1939	No soap	Julius Dash ; Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with saxophone solo	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-036946	10-in.	5/14/1939	Swingin' on Lenox Avenue	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, trumpet, director
Victor	BS-038418	10-in.	7/18/1939	Hot platter	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer, director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BS-038419	10-in.	7/18/1939	Gin mill special	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer, director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BS-038420	10-in.	7/18/1939	Cherry	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra ; Jimmy Mitchell	Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo	director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BS-038421	10-in.	7/18/1939	Tuxedo Junction	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer, director, instrumentalist, trumpet
Victor	BS-038422	10-in.	7/18/1939	Weddin' blues	Erskine Hawkins Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	composer, director, instrumentalist, trumpet

(Results 1-25 of 149 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Hawkins, Erskine," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103922.

Hawkins, Erskine. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103922.

"Hawkins, Erskine." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.