Biography of Coleman Hawkins Coleman Hawkins could read music before he could read the written word. He began piano lessons at the age of five, then cello and C melody saxophone. By the time he was eight years old, he was teaching himself how to play jazz. Later on, he learned from top musicians such as Bunk Johnson, Andy Kirk, and Buster Smith. Hawkins first gained recognition in the 1920s, when he worked with Bunk Johnson's band. Then in the 1930s, he led his own groups while working on Broadway shows; he also played in big bands during this time. In the 1940s, he returned to recording albums that sold millions of copies. He continued to work until his death in 1991 at the age of 90. His best-known songs include "I Found Out," "Big Fat Mama", "Sweet Georgia Brown", and "Honky Tonk Train Blues". After hearing him play, Duke Ellington hired Hawkins into his band in 1933. They worked together for several years and became good friends. When Ellington formed his own band in 1936, he asked Hawkins to be one of its saxophonists. The two bands crossed paths many times throughout their careers and always performed together at high-profile events such as New York Jazz Festivals and Newport Folk Festivals.