Erskine Hawkins, born Erskine Ramsay Hawkins on July 26, 1914, in Birmingham,
Alabama, was an American trumpeter and big band leader. He began his recording
career in 1936 with Vocalion Records as Erskine Hawkins and His 'Bama State
Collegians. In 1938, he signed with RCA Victor, releasing music under the name
Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra" In 1939, Hawkins co-composed "Tuxedo
Junction" with Bill Johnson, which became a significant hit during World War II.
Throughout the 1940s, Hawkins continued to release successful albums and singles
under RCA Victor and later Coral Records...