Doug Hawk is a funk/jazz/R&B artist hailing from Easton, PA. Doug presents a unique, cerebral style, which can be described as at once historically soulful yet progressively hip. His music eschews the typical thematic content of the modern pop catalog — aligning instead with the more yearning, deeply personal sentiments of rebel and protest music. Consequently, his compositions are more positive affirmations than they are songs. His empathic lyrical content is supported by a beautiful, uniquely-refined accompaniment, utilizing melodies and chord changes that travel beyond the usual and expected. This is intelligent, inspiring, grooving music that not only makes you think but move, as well. Comparisons to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Jamiroquai and Steely Dan are accurate but in a purely derivative sense.

Doug graduated from Moravian College in 1998 with a BA in Music. During his time there, he was the featured soloist in numerous opera, jazz and choral ensembles, performed at the Villanova Jazz Festival, toured England and Scotland with the College choir (of which he was Vice-President), and was a catalyst in the school’s development of a major in jazz voice.

After graduation, Hawk began performing regularly with award-winning funk/jazz/R&B group Rhino Campground and experimental/pop/jazz trio ThreeMonKs. Both groups released multiple, well-received recordings and maintained busy performance schedules, including opening for Bob Marley’s Wailers. Largely because of his work with these groups, he won the 2002 & 2007 Lehigh Valley Music awards for Best Male Vocalist.

Doug appeared on Bob Dorough’s (Schoolhouse Rock) Occupy Wall Street-inspired single, “P Is For The People.” Groups of which he has been a part of have opened for the likes of such luminaries as Steely Dan and Michael McDonald. He has written and produced four ambient/yoga/meditation albums as part of his Dreaming of Being series and has scored music for the nationally-recognized charitable foundation Shanti Project (which teaches yoga to at-risk teens and incarcerated populations). Doug also toured internationally with Hmfo: A Hall & Oates Tribute and Start Making Sense: A Talking Heads Tribute. He recently appeared as an accompanist for Marc Martel (the voice of the recent Bohemian Rhapsody movie) and the Lehigh University Choir. Doug was also a past lead vocalist for the incredibly unique cabaret ensemble Zen for Primates. His original music is his ultimate mouthpiece, though — highlighting his refined message and his evolving instrumental and composition skills. He has three albums and three EP’s currently available with new music en route. .

Hawk continues to evolve as a musician, songwriter and educator. He has “hung” with saxophone greats Dave Liebman and Jimmy Heath, legendary trombonist Al Grey and jazz vocal icons Bobby McFerrin and Mark Murphy, who praised his “flights into fine improv and musical delights.” Other studies with groundbreaking vocalist J.D. Walter, improvisational guru Rhiannon and pianist/composer/educator Skip Wilkins figure prominently in his style. He held the title of Adjunct Professor of Music at Temple University in Philadelphia.  In a former life, Doug was a Shiatsu practitioner, Reiki Master, and accredited minister. He is a seasoned gardener and enjoys spending time with his beloved cat, Sally, and his many chickens.