Bassist/Composer/Educator

      Michael Hawkins is an exciting and charismatic bassist currently residing  in the Richmond, Virginia     area.  His commanding presence and swinging pulse quickly catapulted him to the top of his profession, enabling him to perform with some of the world’s greatest musicians
 
      Hawkins began his music career as a trumpet player in his high school band. After switching to trombone, he finally settled on bass guitar. At 15, he began to work professionally in his native Alexandria, Va. By 16, he was leading his own band and performing regularly in the Washington, D.C., area. Upon receiving a full scholarship, Hawkins studied music at Virginia State University. Next, he made his way to New York City, where he earned a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Queen’s College and shared the stage with some of the world’s greatest musicians.

    Internationally, Hawkins has toured and performed with some of the biggest names in music.  Hawkins has performed with jazz legends saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Eric  Alexander, Gary Bartz, Donald Harrison; pianists Bruce Barth, Eric Reed, Mulgrew Miller, CyrusChestnut, John Hicks; vocalists Vanessa Rubin, Leon Thomas, Carla Cook; vibraharpist Stefon Harris; guitarist Mark Whitfield, Mark Elf and Russell Malone; drummers Carl Allen, Ralph  Peterson, Cindy Blackmon; and the trombone and seashells of Steve Turre.  Also toured abroad in Japan, Russia, Ukraine, China, Germany, Italy, Canada and Scandinavia. 
 
     Michael has led groups and performed in prestigious venues such as New York City's, The Village Vangaurd,  Sweet Basil's,  Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center), and house Bassist at Cleopatra's Needle,  Joe Segal's  Jazz Showcase (Chicago), Jazz Bakery (Los Angeles), Ragatta Bar, Sculler's (Boston),  The Dakota (Minneapolis) and Yoshi's (Oakland)  
 
      A sought after side-man, Michael's  dynamic Bass sound  can be heard on numerous recording projects such as Cyrus Chestnuts "You Are My Sunshine" (Warner Bros.),  "Genuine Chestnut" (Telarc),  and on various performances, and songwriting collaborations.

      Locally, Michael has been heating up the jazz scene in Greater Richmond, Va. with his current band "Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood".  The Brotherhood consists of the finest musicians currently living in the Richmond Va. area.  James “Saxsmo” Gates - Alto Saxophone, Dr. Weldon Hill- piano, and Billy Williams Jr.-Drums with Michael Hawkins on Bass, The Brotherhood is one of RVA’s top Jazz ensembles, performing to enthusiastic everywhere they go.  The Brotherhood not only signifies the interpersonal relationships between each of the members of the band but also pays homage to the generation of jazz musicians from years past.  Michael brings his signature sound to compliment both horn players and vocalists with his huge rich tone. Since 2018, his critically acclaimed quartet  has been playing to packed houses across the Richmond area and the region.