Pavel Arakelian – sax

Dmitry Golovanov – piano

Aliaksei Kryshtal – double bass

Augustas Baronas – drums

(swing, golden jazz era, bebop)

If one were to look for the person who gave the tenor saxophone a voice in jazz, one of the first names would undoubtedly be Coleman Hawkins.

A powerful, rich sound, impeccable sense of rhythm, and harmonic imagination made Hawkins one of the most important saxophonists in jazz history. Even at a time when the tenor saxophone was just finding its place in jazz, Hawkins showed that this instrument could be not only part of an ensemble, but also a bright, independent solo voice.

His legendary „Body and Soul“ recording became one of the most important lessons in jazz improvisation - the melody here becomes only a starting point for harmonic freedom and spontaneous musical thought.

But Hawkins was not a musician who remained confined to his era. Having started out in the swing era, he keenly followed the changing jazz scene, played with a younger generation of musicians, and naturally embraced the new language of bebop.

In the Sax Colossus series, his music will become a starting point for today's musicians - not trying to replicate historical recordings, but searching for the same thing Hawkins searched for his entire life: strong sound, freedom, improvisation, and a distinctive voice.

An evening dedicated to the man who helped the tenor saxophone become one of the most important jazz instruments.