Is At Ease with Coleman Hawkins a good place to start with Coleman Hawkins?

Yes, At Ease with Coleman Hawkins is recommended as a starting point for new Coleman Hawkins listeners. A warm, inviting blend of lush orchestration and Hawkins' rich tenor saxophone that exudes intimate sophistication. By 1960, Coleman Hawkins was a jazz veteran celebrated for his influential role in the development of the tenor saxophone. 'At Ease with Coleman Hawkins' marked a significant moment as it showcased his ability to adapt to evolving jazz styles while retaining his signature sound. This album followed his earlier work 'The Hawk Flies High' from 1963, reflecting a continued exploration of lyrical expression through improvisation.

Who is At Ease with Coleman Hawkins for?

At Ease with Coleman Hawkins works well if you're into steady melodic exploration, for late-night relaxation and warm background for conversations.

How many songs are on At Ease with Coleman Hawkins?

At Ease with Coleman Hawkins has 8 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

At Ease with Coleman Hawkins

Coleman Hawkins · 1960

41 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A warm, inviting blend of lush orchestration and Hawkins' rich tenor saxophone that exudes intimate sophistication.

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Top tracks — play these first

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For You, for Me, Forevermore Start here — This track opens the album with a tender ballad showcasing Hawkins' smooth, emotive playing style that sets the tone for the collection.
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While We're Young — The nuanced interplay between Hawkins' saxophone and the lush orchestral arrangement creates an atmosphere of wistful longing, highlighting his lyrical sensibility.
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Poor Butterfly — Hawkins delivers a masterclass in improvisation here, weaving intricate melodic lines that capture the emotional depth of this classic standard.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Hawkins' rich improvisation over lush arrangements creates a sophisticated yet accessible jazz experience.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of lush orchestration that complements Hawkins' tenor saxophone throughout each track.
Each piece is structured around a central melody, with Hawkins improvising variations that showcase his mastery of phrasing.
The tempo remains mostly moderate, allowing for a relaxed and inviting atmosphere across all eight tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic exploration
for late-night relaxation
warm background for conversations
intimate moments of reflection

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer standalone hit tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Showcases Hawkins' mastery and is celebrated for its artistic merit.
Career context: By 1960, Coleman Hawkins was a jazz veteran celebrated for his influential role in the development of the tenor saxophone. 'At Ease with Coleman Hawkins' marked a significant moment as it showcased his ability to adapt to evolving jazz styles while retaining his signature sound. This album followed his earlier work 'The Hawk Flies High' from 1963, reflecting a continued exploration of lyrical expression through improvisation.
Stylistic neighbors: Ben Webster· Lester Young· John Coltrane