Erskine Hawkins, American trumpet player and bandleader (d. 1993)
Erskine Ramsay Hawkins (July 26, 1914 – November 11, 1993) was an American trumpeter and big band leader from Birmingham, Alabama, dubbed "The 20th Century Gabriel". He is best remembered for composing the jazz standard "Tuxedo Junction" (1939) with saxophonist and arranger Bill Johnson. The song became a hit during World War II, rising to No. 7 nationally (version by the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra) and to No. 1 nationally (version by the Glenn Miller Orchestra). Vocalists who were featured with Erskine's orchestra include Ida James, Delores Brown, and Della Reese. Hawkins was named after Alabama industrialist Erskine Ramsay.
1914Jul, 26
Erskine Hawkins
Choose Another Date
Events on 1914
- 28Jun
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie are assassinated in Sarajevo; this is the casus belli of World War I. - 26Jul
Bulgaria
Serbia and Bulgaria interrupt diplomatic relationship. - 5Aug
Traffic light
In Cleveland, Ohio, the first electric traffic light is installed. - 15Aug
Frank Lloyd Wright
A servant of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright murders seven people and sets fire to the living quarters of Wright's Wisconsin home, Taliesin. - 1Sep
Petrograd
St. Petersburg, Russia, changes its name to Petrograd.