Is The High and Mighty Hawk a good place to start with Coleman Hawkins?

Yes, The High and Mighty Hawk is recommended as a starting point for new Coleman Hawkins listeners. A rich tapestry of improvisation and emotion, combining soulful melodies with intricate jazz harmonies. By 1958, Coleman Hawkins was already a pivotal figure in jazz, known for his influential tenor saxophone style. 'The High and Mighty Hawk' arrived as a follow-up to his acclaimed recordings in the 1940s and early 1950s, showcasing his mature sound and mastery of the genre during a period when jazz was evolving.

Who is The High and Mighty Hawk for?

The High and Mighty Hawk works well if you're into steady unfolding of emotions, rich saxophone textures throughout and intimate moments for quiet reflection.

How many songs are on The High and Mighty Hawk?

The High and Mighty Hawk has 6 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

The High and Mighty Hawk

Coleman Hawkins · 1958

39 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A rich tapestry of improvisation and emotion, combining soulful melodies with intricate jazz harmonies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Bird of Prey Blues Start here — This track opens the album with an extended improvisational journey, highlighting Hawkins' signature tone and emotional depth while establishing the album's thematic direction.
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My One and Only Love — Hawkins transforms this standard into a heartfelt exploration of longing, using lush harmonics that elevate the emotional stakes throughout the performance.
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You've Changed — This rendition stands out for its poignant phrasing and dynamic interplay with the supporting musicians, showcasing Hawkins' ability to convey deep sentiment through improvisation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong improvisational skills and intricate arrangements, solidifying Hawkins' jazz legacy.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of extended improvisation, with each track allowing for lengthy solos that showcase Hawkins' saxophone technique.
Tracks like 'Bird of Prey Blues' and 'Ooh-Wee, Miss G.P.' employ a call-and-response structure between the saxophone and rhythm section, creating dynamic interplay.

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: 6/10

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 unfolding of emotions
rich saxophone textures throughout
intimate moments for quiet reflection
soulful melodies for evening wind-down

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer standalone energetic tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Helped solidify Hawkins' reputation as a leading figure in jazz.
Career context: By 1958, Coleman Hawkins was already a pivotal figure in jazz, known for his influential tenor saxophone style. 'The High and Mighty Hawk' arrived as a follow-up to his acclaimed recordings in the 1940s and early 1950s, showcasing his mature sound and mastery of the genre during a period when jazz was evolving.
Stylistic neighbors: Ben Webster· Lester Young· John Coltrane