Erskine Hawkins

Erskine Hawkins
Hawkins circa 1940s
Hawkins circa 1940s
Background information
Birth nameErskine Ramsay Hawkins
Born(1914-07-26)July 26, 1914
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
DiedNovember 11, 1993(1993-11-11) (aged 79)
Willingboro Township, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresJazz, blues
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, bandleader
InstrumentTrumpet
Years active1930s–1980s
LabelsVocalion, RCA

Erskine Ramsay Hawkins (July 26, 1914 – November 11, 1993)[1] was an American trumpeter and big band leader from Birmingham, Alabama, dubbed "The 20th Century Gabriel".[2] 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.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Dead was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Erskine Hawkins: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved January 20, 2011.