Bassist Michael Hawkins has performed with jazz legends saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Eric Alexander, Gary Bartz, Donald Harrison; pianists Bruce Barth, Eric Reed, Mulgrew Miller, Cyrus Chestnut, 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. Hawkins has led groups and performed in prestigious venues such as The Village Vanguard, Sweet Basil's, Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center), 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).