[1] Founded and led by Ron Dewar, from the School of Music at the University of Illinois, the Nighthawks performed compositions from the early days of jazz.
Under saxophonist Dewar's direction they brought to pre-1930 jazz compositions a precision born of studying classical and modern orchestral music.
They achieved a discipline that, combined with their youthful enthusiasm, distinguished them from the far looser, laid-back style of traditional jazz bands labeled as Dixieland.
Personnel included Dewar on soprano saxophone and clarinet, Steve Jensen on cornet, Joel Helleny on trombone, Dave Feinman on the above-mentioned bass sax, Mike Miller on banjo and guitar and sometimes Bob Kornacher on drums.
He now lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and plays a cornet left to him by Ed "Doc" Kittrell, who was an inspiration to the Memphis Nighthawks.