Tuxedo Junction is a popular song written by Erskine Hawkins and recorded by his band for the Bluebird label on July 18, 1939. The record peaked at #7 on the charts later that year. The following year a cover was recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra and their version went to #1. The title refers to a transit stop in Birmingham, Alabama and a nearby jazz and blues club.

The Erskine Hawkins Orchestra traced its roots to a group named the ‘Bama State Collegians that was made up of students from Alabama State University and dated to the late 1920s. Hawkins was not the original director of the band but was its leader in 1934 when they decided to move to New York City and try their luck as the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra. They were a fixture at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, often being the relief band for Chick Webb’s ensemble. While at the Savoy the band often used Tuxedo Junction as their closing number.

The song was composed as an instrumental, but lyrics were added later by the publishing company. Aside from the Miller record, numerous covers have been recorded in the years since 1939, including versions by Ella Fitzgerald, the Andrews Sisters, Harry James, Frankie Avalon and Joe Jackson.

Here is a link to the original recording of Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins made 87 years ago today:

"TUXEDO JUNCTION"