Ben Webster
Ben Webster was considered one of the "big three" of swing tenors along with Coleman Hawkins (his main influence) and Lester Young. He had a tough, raspy tone on stomps (with his own distinctive growls), yet on ballads he would play with warmth and sentiment. After violin lessons as a child, Webster learned how to play rudimentary piano (his neighbor Pete Johnson taught him to play blues). But after Budd Johnson showed him some basics on the saxophone, Webster played sax in the Young Family Band (which at the time included Lester Young). He had stints with Jap Allen and Blanche Calloway (making his recording debut with the latter) before joining Bennie Moten's Orchestra in time to be one of the stars on a classic session in 1932. Webster spent time with quite a few orchestras in the 1930s, including Andy Kirk, Fletcher Henderson in 1934, Benny Carter, Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway, and the short-lived Teddy Wilson big band.
In 1940 (after short stints in 1935 and 1936), Ben Webster became Duke Ellington's first major tenor soloist. During the next three years he was on many famous recordings, including "Cotton Tail" -- which in addition to his memorable solo had a saxophone ensemble arranged by Webster -- and "All Too Soon." After leaving Ellington in 1943 (he would return for a time in 1948 and 1949), Webster worked on 52nd Street; recorded frequently as both a leader and a sideman; had short periods with Raymond Scott, John Kirby, and Sid Catlett; and toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic during several seasons in the 1950s. Although his style was falling out of fashion by that decade, Webster's work on ballads became quite popular, and Norman Granz recorded him on many memorable sessions. Webster recorded a classic set with Art Tatum and generally worked steadily, but in 1964 he moved permanently to Copenhagen where he played when he pleased during his last decade. His distinctive tone was a later influence on such diverse players as Archie Shepp, Lew Tabackin, Scott Hamilton, and Bennie Wallace.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Similar artists
-
Dizzy Wonderful Day
Jazz - Released by Dizzy Wonderful Day TM on 15 jan. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
101 Essential Ben Webster Classics
Moderne jazz - Released by 101 Music on 21 feb. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live at the Haarlemse Jazzclub (Live)
Jazz - Released by Limetree on 29 jun. 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Open Stage
Jazz - Released by open reeez regarde on 31 mrt. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ben Webster and Friends 1957
Jazz - Released by Documents on 1 sep. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best Of Ben Webster - Vol 2 (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Co on 25 sep. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
This Is My Jazz (Best Tracks)
Jazz - Released by This Is My Jazz on 30 sep. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Coleman Hawkins rencontre Ben Webster (Mono Version)
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 jan. 1962
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Jazz - Released by Firefly Entertainment on 14 jul. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
The Great Ben Webster
Blues - Released by Ibiza Friends on 9 apr. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Tune in to
Ben Webster, Harry "Sweets" Edison
Jazz - Released by Elegie Ltd. on 21 mei 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classic Mulligan, Vol. 7: Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster
Jazz - Released by Top Tracks on 30 okt. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
In a Mellow Tone (Live)
Blues - Released by Delta Jazz on 16 nov. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Strings
Moderne jazz - Released by Black Sheep Music on 4 jan. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Old Time Jazz
Jazz - Released by Old Time Jazz Music on 1 mei 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
Jazz Masters, Ben Webster
Bebop - Released by LucasRecords on 14 sep. 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo