"... a band with an uncommon versatility that erupts into new music bursts of dissonance and color. This band can enlighten an audience while enthralling it." - The Chicago Tribune

Ernest Dawkins

Ernest Dawkins is one of Chicago's premier jazz saxophonist whose music reflects his extraordinary talent not just as a musician but a composer as well. He has recorded eleven CD's and is the founder and leader of the New Horizons Ensemble. For thirty years the New Horizons Ensemble has created a sound that showcases their unique combination of jazz, bebop, swing, and avant garde. The New Horizons Ensemble with Ernest Dawkins, Steve Berry, Junius Paul, and Isaiah Spencer will appear at the Velvet Lounge, 67 E Cermak in Chicago at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 16th.

Ernest Dawkins started his musical career at the tender age of twelve when he learned how to play the bass and conga drums. At nineteen he became mesmerized by the sound of the saxophone while listening to his father's jazz recordings of Lester Young. But it wasn't until he heard the alto sax of Guido Sinclair that he knew this was the instrument he wanted to play. Within a week, he had purchased his first saxophone, clarinet and flute all for the meager sum of $24.00.  Two weeks later Dawkins got his first lesson from members of the AACM.

In 1978 Dawkins formed his own group New Horizons Ensemble. Dawkins has also worked with a myriad of music greats which include: Ramsey Lewis, Muhal Richard Abrams, Lester Bowie, Edward Wilkerson, Jr., Henry Threadgill, Amina Claudine Myers, Anthony Braxton, Jack McDuff, Don Moye, Jerry Butler, and The Dells.

Dawkins has composed music for the documentary film "Malcolm" in 1995 under the direction of Alan Siegal. In 1994 he was commissioned to write a three-piece suite honoring Rahsaan Roland Kirk for the King Arts Complex in Columbus, Ohio

Dawkins also takes the time to share his musical genius and knowledge with Chicago's youth. He has been teaching music in the Chicago Public School system since 1989. Prior to that he worked with the Urban Gateways's Educational Performances Program for schools. He has also worked with the Chicago Park District as well.

Dawkins is the recipient of numerous awards and grants some of which include: Arts Midwest Meet the Composer Grant (1992), Apprenticeship Study Grant from The National Endowment for the Arts (1985-1986), Music & Performance Grant from the Chicago Office of Fine Arts (1984-1985), Talent Scholarship from Governors State University (1980-1981), the CAIP (Chicago Artist International Program)Grant from the Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affairs, The United States Information Agency, United Airlines and Lufthansa Airlines (1998).

He holds a Masters in Music Education from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois and has studied music at the Vandercook School of Music as well as the AACM School of Music. Dawkins currently serves as Chairman of the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), the oldest musicians collective, of its kind, in the United States.

The Velvet Lounge is located at 67 E. Cermak Rd. in Chicago.For more information visit www.velvetlounge.net

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