Coleman Hawkins

His career gained momentum in 1921 when he joined Mamie Smith's Jazz Hounds, a band he stayed with until 1923. From there, he moved on to the prestigious Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, where he remained until 1934. During his time with Henderson, his playing evolved notably, especially during the period when Louis Armstrong was in the orchestra between 1924 and 1925. In the 1920s, he also participated in some of the earliest recordings with musicians of different races, with the Mound City Blue Blowers. As a featured soloist, he recorded his first solo tracks in 1933 and 1934, just before embarking on a trip to Europe. In 1934, he also had the opportunity to participate in a session for Benny Goodman.

In 1934, Hawkins traveled to London to play with Jack Hylton's orchestra, then toured Europe until 1939, collaborating and recording in Paris with figures like Django Reinhardt and Benny Carter in 1937. Upon his return to the United States in October 1939, he recorded a version of the popular tune Body and Soul. This recording, almost an afterthought to the session, became a landmark. Hawkins barely touched the original melody, instead exploring the harmonic structures in a way many consider an evolutionary step in jazz, comparable to the influence of West End Blues by Louis Armstrong in 1928. After a failed attempt at leading his own big band, he formed a combo in Manhattan where he crossed paths with musicians like Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. Always attentive to new talent and sounds, he led what is considered the first bebop recording session in 1944, alongside Dizzy Gillespie and Max Roach. He continued touring and recording with other prominent musicians of the time.