ernestdawkins.com – composer/musician

One of the life goals of Ernest Dawkins, is for his music and compositions to reflect the evolving collective cultural memory of the American jazz aesthetic. Dawkins is one of the world’s premiere saxophonists and composers. He is an entrepreneur with years of experience working with new media technologies to produce and promote his work and that of the jazz community online and in digital venues. He is leader of several ensembles, including the New Horizons Ensemble, Aesop Quartet, Chicago Trio, Live the Spirit Big Band, and the Chicago 12.

He is also a member of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble.https://www.normansbistro.com/ Dawkins has recorded numerous CDs. His publishing company, Dawk Music, has eight releases to date.

In 2011, he released two new recordings:
1. New Horizons Ensemble, The Prairie Prophet [Delmark Records];

2. Chicago Trio (Ernest Dawkins, Hamid Drake, Harrison Bankhead) Live at the Velvet Lounge, Dedicated to Fred Anderson [Rogue Art].

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Chicago Jazz

Ernest Khabeer Dawkins’ New Horizons Ensemble, ‘Mean Ameen’ | Dee Alexander, vocalist

By Giovanni Russonello
New York Times, March 5, 2025

This recording, featuring some of the stalwarts of Chicago’s improvised music scene, should tantalize the palate of any listener new to creative music. The music is exploratory, while at the same time being funky and accessible. This Ernest Dawkins composition is a homage to Chicago’s own Ameen Muhammad, who died in 2003 at 48. Muhammad, a dear friend of Dawkins, was not only a renowned trumpeter and composer but also a highly admired and respected educator; “Mean Ameen” gained international notoriety over the course of his brief career. Ernest Khabeer Dawkins is one of those rare individuals who manages to balance a passion for community, mentorship and art. For me, this piece represents the saxophonist and bandleader at his best, through a beautiful dedication to a dear friend.

The Music of Ernest Dawkins

Musican, Composer, Educator

“Chicago saxophonist Ernest Dawkins has pursued music professionally for nearly 40 years, and in that time he’s built a legacy that’s among the city’s richest.”