Coleman Hawkins is considered to be the father of the tenor sax. No one really did anything with it until he came along in the 20s.

He not only pioneered that horn, but he was one of the few horn players to change with the times, ushering in the swing, bebop and hard bop eras of music by hiring and playing with the likes of Roy Eldridge, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. He really did do it all. This 1960 concert release from Pablo release finds him in his august years, but filled with vim and vigor. Teamed in various setting with the likes of Herb Ellis/g, Gus Johnson-Jo Jones/dr, Lou Levy/p, Benny Carter/as, Don Byas/ts and Max Bennett, Hawkins leads the entourage through jam session20numbers like “Crazy Rhythm” with the leadership of a lion. Masterful work by a true foundation of jazz.

with Roy Eldridge, Don Byas, Benny Carter, Lou Levy, Lalo Schifrin, Herb Ellis, Max Bennett, Art Davis, Gus Johnson, Jo Jones

Recorded November 1960.