This stamp celebrates Coleman Hawkins (1904-1969), a pivotal figure in the history of jazz. Before Hawkins, the saxophone was often considered a novelty instrument. His virtuosic playing with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra in the 1920s and his iconic 1939 recording of "Body and Soul" demonstrated the instrument's potential for complex, expressive solos. Hawkins' influence spanned several eras of jazz, from swing to bebop, and he was a mentor to many younger musicians.