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
Artistes similaires
-
The Quintessence - New York - Los Angeles (1940 -1962)
Jazz - Paru chez Fremeaux Heritage le 1 oct. 2017
4F de Télérama16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
There Is No Greater Love (Ben Webster)
Jazz - Paru chez 1201 MUSIC le 30 sept. 1987
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wayfaring Webster
Ben Webster Quartet, Ben Webster
Jazz - Paru chez Daybreak Records le 3 avr. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Warm Moods
Jazz - Paru chez Black Sheep Music le 23 avr. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
-
Valentines Day 1964 Live!
Jazz traditionnel & New Orleans - Paru chez Dot Time Legends le 27 avr. 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ben Webster | Oscar Peterson
Jazz contemporain - Paru chez Black Sheep Music le 4 janv. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ben Webster - Dexter Gordon, Baden 1972 / Swiss Radio Days, Jazz Series Vol.10
Kenny Drew, Ed Thigpen, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Bo Stief
Jazz - Paru chez TCB - The Montreux Jazz Label™ le 1 janv. 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Sextet Studio Sessions
Harry "Sweets" Edison, Ben Webster
Jazz - Paru chez Lone Hill Jazz le 1 janv. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Paru chez Icon Jazz Series le 2 août 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Ben Webster 100 Years - The Brute & The Beautiful
Jazz - Paru chez Storyville le 4 mai 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Soul of Ben Webster (Remastered)
Jazz - Paru chez Avid Entertainment le 29 nov. 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
-
-
The Quintet Studio Sessions
Harry "Sweets" Edison, Ben Webster
Jazz - Paru chez Lone Hill Jazz le 1 janv. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jimmy Witherspoon at the Renaissance
Jimmy Witherspoon, Jerry Mulligan, Ben Webster
Jazz - Paru chez HIFI Records le 6 juil. 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo