Biography by Scott Yanow
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.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-webster-mn0000793227#biography
///////
Biografía de Scott Yanow
Ben Webster fue considerado uno de los «tres grandes» tenores del swing, junto con Coleman Hawkins (su principal influencia) y Lester Young. Tenía un tono duro y áspero en los stomps (con sus característicos gruñidos), pero en las baladas tocaba con calidez y sentimiento. Tras recibir clases de violín de niño, Webster aprendió a tocar rudimentariamente el piano (su vecino Pete Johnson le enseñó a tocar blues). Pero después de que Budd Johnson le enseñara algunas nociones básicas de saxofón, Webster tocó el saxo en la Young Family Band (que por aquel entonces incluía a Lester Young). Pasó temporadas con Jap Allen y Blanche Calloway (con esta última hizo su debut discográfico) antes de unirse a la Bennie Moten's Orchestra a tiempo para ser una de las estrellas de una sesión clásica en 1932. Webster pasó tiempo con bastantes orquestas en la década de 1930, entre ellas Andy Kirk, Fletcher Henderson en 1934, Benny Carter, Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway y la efímera big band de Teddy Wilson.
En 1940 (tras breves temporadas en 1935 y 1936), Ben Webster se convirtió en el primer gran tenor solista de Duke Ellington. Durante los tres años siguientes participó en muchas grabaciones famosas, como «Cotton Tail» -que además de su memorable solo contaba con un conjunto de saxofones arreglado por Webster- y «All Too Soon». Tras dejar a Ellington en 1943 (volvería durante un tiempo en 1948 y 1949), Webster trabajó en 52nd Street; grabó con frecuencia como líder y como acompañante; tuvo breves periodos con Raymond Scott, John Kirby y Sid Catlett; y realizó giras con Jazz at the Philharmonic durante varias temporadas en la década de 1950. Aunque su estilo estaba pasando de moda en esa década, el trabajo de Webster en las baladas se hizo muy popular, y Norman Granz le grabó en muchas sesiones memorables. Webster grabó un set clásico con Art Tatum y, en general, trabajó de forma estable, pero en 1964 se trasladó permanentemente a Copenhague, donde tocó cuando quiso durante su última década. Su tono característico influyó posteriormente en músicos tan diversos como Archie Shepp, Lew Tabackin, Scott Hamilton y Bennie Wallace.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-webster-mn0000793227#biography
Tracklist:
01 Autumn Leaves
02 Stardust
03 What's New
04 Easy To Love
05 Yesterdays
06 Blue Light
07 My Romance
08 Days Of Wine And Roses
Credits:
Ben Webster – tenor sax
Kenny Drew – piano
Niels Henning Orsted Perdersen – bass
Axel Riel – drums
Add Arnved Meyer Band tracks 6-8
Copenhagen, February 6, 1965
This file is intended only for preview!
I ask you to delete the file from your hard drive or device after reading it.
thank for the original uploader
No comments:
Post a Comment