Coleman Hawkins
was the “father of the tenor saxophone
”—and as such one of its most influential players. His rounded tone, intricate phrasing, and densely packed arpeggiated style, such as on his landmark recording of “Body and Soul,
” inspired generations of jazz saxophonists, from Charlie Parker to
John Coltrane
and Sonny Rollins. Hawkins's immaculate ability to play through complex chord sequences was his gift to other musicians. Less influential were his heavy tone and sometimes...