Bama State Collegians
Encyclopedia
The Bama State Collegians is a student jazz orchestra made up of students at Alabama State University
. This group, founded in the 1930s, has been directed by a number of notable musicians, including Tommy Stewart
and Erskine Hawkins
.
The group also holds an important place in jazz history. In 1934, the entire group travelled to New York and became the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra, recording hit records such as Tuxedo Junction
, which rose to #7 nationally by Erskine Hawkins and #1 by Glenn Miller
. Members of this band worked with the NBC Orchestra, the Lucky Millinder
Orchestra, the Duke Ellington
Orchestra, Louis Armstrong
and others.
Among those who have played with the orchestra are Dud Bascomb
, Paul Bascomb
, Avery Parrish
, and Haywood Henry
.
Alabama State University
Alabama State University, founded 1867, is a historically black university located in Montgomery, Alabama. ASU is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- History :...
. This group, founded in the 1930s, has been directed by a number of notable musicians, including Tommy Stewart
Tommy Stewart (trumpeter)
Tommy Stewart is an American trumpeter, arranger, producer, composer and pianist residing in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a member of several active performing groups, including the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, Cleveland Eaton and the Alabama All-Stars, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars, and Ray...
and Erskine Hawkins
Erskine Hawkins
Erskine Ramsay Hawkins was an American trumpet player and big band leader from Birmingham, Alabama, dubbed "The 20th Century Gabriel". He is most remembered for composing the jazz standard "Tuxedo Junction" with saxophonist and arranger Bill Johnson...
.
The group also holds an important place in jazz history. In 1934, the entire group travelled to New York and became the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra, recording hit records such as Tuxedo Junction
Tuxedo Junction
"Tuxedo Junction" is a song co-written by Birmingham, Alabama composer Erskine Hawkins and saxophonist and arranger Bill Johnson. Julian Dash is also credited for the music. The song was introduced by Hawkins's orchestra. Lyrics were by Buddy Feyne...
, which rose to #7 nationally by Erskine Hawkins and #1 by Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
. Members of this band worked with the NBC Orchestra, the Lucky Millinder
Lucky Millinder
Lucius Venable "Lucky" Millinder was an American rhythm and blues and swing bandleader. Although he could not read or write music, did not play an instrument and rarely sang, his showmanship and musical taste made his bands successful...
Orchestra, the Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
Orchestra, Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
and others.
Among those who have played with the orchestra are Dud Bascomb
Dud Bascomb
Wilbur Odell "Dud" Bascomb was an American jazz trumpeter best known for his tenure with Erskine Hawkins. He is a 1979 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame....
, Paul Bascomb
Paul Bascomb
Paul Bascomb was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, noted for his extended tenure with Erskine Hawkins. He is a 1979 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame....
, Avery Parrish
Avery Parrish
Avery Parrish was an American jazz pianist and songwriter.Parrish studied at the Alabama State Teachers College, where he played in the Bama State Collegians, an ensemble led by Erskine Hawkins. He remained in Hawkins's employ until 1941 and recorded with him extensively...
, and Haywood Henry
Haywood Henry
Frank Haywood Henry was an American jazz baritone saxophonist. He was a 1978 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame....
.