Benjamin Webster
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Francis Webster
Born	March 27, 1909(1909-03-27)
Origin	Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Died	September 20, 1973 (aged 64)
Genre(s)	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Saxophonist
Instrument(s)	Tenor saxophone
Associated acts	Coleman Hawkins Oscar Peterson

Benjamin Francis Webster (March 27, 1909–September 20, 1973) was an influential American jazz tenor saxophonist. Events 196 BC - Ptolemy V ascends to the throne of Egypt. 1309 - Pope Clement V excommunicates Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Kansas City Missouri only Items for the metro area Kansas City Kansas or North Kansas City MO should go on their respective pages The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the Saxophone family a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s Coleman Randolph Hawkins ( November 21 1904 - May 19 1969) Nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean" was a prominent Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, CC, CQ, OOnt ( 15 August 1925 – 23 December 2007) was a Canadian Events 196 BC - Ptolemy V ascends to the throne of Egypt. 1309 - Pope Clement V excommunicates Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the Saxophone family a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s

Webster, born in Kansas City, Missouri, was considered one of the three most important "swing tenors" along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. Kansas City Missouri only Items for the metro area Kansas City Kansas or North Kansas City MO should go on their respective pages Coleman Randolph Hawkins ( November 21 1904 - May 19 1969) Nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean" was a prominent Lester Willis Young ( August 27, 1909 &ndash March 15, 1959) nickname 'Prez' was an American Jazz tenor Saxophonist Known affectionately as "The Brute",^[1] he had a tough, raspy, and brutal tone on stomps (with his own distinctive growls), yet on ballads he would play with warmth and sentiment. Stylistically he was indebted to alto star Johnny Hodges, who, he said, taught him to play his instrument. John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges ( 25 July, 1906 in Cambridge, Massachusetts – 11 May, 1970) was an American

Early life and career

Webster learned to play piano and violin at an early age, before learning to play the saxophone, although he did return to the piano from time to time even recording on the instrument occasionally. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers The violin is a bowed String instrument with four strings usually tuned in Perfect fifths It is the smallest and highest-pitched member The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical- bored transposing Musical instrument considered a member of the Woodwind Once Budd Johnson showed him some basics on the saxophone, Webster began to play that instrument in the Young Family Band (which at the time included Lester Young). Not to be confused with Buddy Johnson. Budd Johnson was a jazz saxophonist and clarinetist best known as a "behind-the-scenes player" and writer Kansas City at this point was a melting pot from which would emerge some of the biggest names in 1930's jazz, and Webster joined Bennie Moten's legendary 1932 band that included Count Basie, Oran Page and Walter Page. Bennie Moten ( November 13 1894 – April 2, 1935) was a noted American Jazz pianist and band leader born in Kansas William "Count" Basie ( August 21, 1904 &ndash April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, Organist Oran Thaddeus Page ( 27 January, 1908 &ndash 4 November, 1954) Jazz Trumpeter singer bandleader born in Dallas Texas Walter Sylvester Page ( February 9, 1900 &ndash December 20, 1957) nicknamed " Hoss," was an African American This era has been recreated in Robert Altman's film Kansas City. Robert Bernard Altman (February 20 1925 – November 20 2006 was an American Film director known for making films that are highly naturalistic, but with Kansas City is a 1996 Film, directed by Robert Altman, and featuring numerous jazz tracks

Webster spent time with quite a few orchestras in the 1930s (including Andy Kirk, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra in 1934, then Benny Carter, Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway, and the short-lived Teddy Wilson big band). This article refers to the American Jazz saxophonist For the Northern Irish footballer see Andy Kirk (footballer Andrew Dewey Kirk ( May 28, Fletcher Hamilton Henderson Jr ( December 18, 1897 &ndash December 28, 1952) was an American pianist bandleader Arranger Bennett Lester Carter (born August 8, 1907 in Harlem New York; died July 12, 2003 in Los Angeles California) was Willie Bryant (August 30 1908 New Orleans - February 9 1964 Los Angeles) was an American Jazz bandleader vocalist and Disc jockey. Cabell "Cab" Calloway III ( December 25, 1907 &ndash November 18, 1994) was a famous American Jazz Singer Theodore Shaw "Teddy" Wilson ( November 24 1912 &ndash July 31 1986) was a jazz pianist from the United States

With Duke Ellington

Playing with Duke Ellington's orchestra for the first time in 1935, by 1940 Ben Webster had become its first major tenor soloist. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29 1899 &ndash May 24 1974 was an American Composer, Pianist, and Bandleader. He credited Johnny Hodges, Ellington's alto soloist, as a major influence on his playing. During the next three years he was on many famous recordings, including "Cotton Tail" and "All Too Soon"; his contribution (together with that of bassist Jimmy Blanton) was so important that Ellington's orchestra during that period is known as the Blanton–Webster band. " Cotton Tail " is a 1940 composition by Duke Ellington. " All Too Soon " is a 1940 Song composed by Duke Ellington with lyrics written by Carl Sigman. Jimmy Blanton ( October 5 1918 &ndash July 30 1942) was an influential American Jazz Double bassist Blanton originated The Blanton&ndashWebster Band combines the master takes of all the recordings by Duke Ellington 's Orchestra during the years of 1939 to 1942 involving Webster left the band in 1943 after an angry altercation, during which he allegedly cut up one of Ellington's suits.

and after

After leaving Ellington in 1943, Webster worked on 52nd Street in New York City; recorded frequently as both a leader and a sideman; had short periods with Raymond Scott, John Kirby, and Sid Catlett, as well as with Jay McShann's band, which also featured blues shouter Jimmy Witherspoon. 52nd Street is a 19 mile long one-way Street traveling west to east across Midtown Manhattan. The City of New York Raymond Scott (born Harry Warnow, 10 September 1908 &mdash 8 February 1994) was an American composer band leader pianist engineer John Kirby ( December 31, 1908 &ndash June 14, 1952) was a jazz Double-bassist who played the Trombone as well as Sidney Catlett (born January 17, 1910 &ndash March 25, 1951) was a swinging jazz drummer often referred to as "Big Jay McShann ( January 12 1916 – December 7 2006) was an American Blues and swing Pianist, Jimmy Witherspoon ( August 8, 1920 – September 18, 1997) was an American Blues singer In 1948 he returned briefly to the Ellington orchestra for a few months.

In 1953 he recorded King of the Tenors with pianist Oscar Peterson, who would be an important collaborator for Webster throughout the decade. Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, CC, CQ, OOnt ( 15 August 1925 – 23 December 2007) was a Canadian Along with Peterson, trumpeter Harry 'Sweets' Edison and others he was by now touring and recording with Norman Granz' Jazz at the Philharmonic organisation. Harry "Sweets" Edison ( October 10, 1915 – July 27, 1999) was born in Columbus Ohio. Norman Granz ( Los Angeles, USA, August 6, 1918 - Geneva, Switzerland, November 22, 2001) was an American Jazz at the Philharmonic or JATP (1944 - 1983 was the title of a series of Concerts and Recordings produced by Norman Granz (1918 - 2001 Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster with fellow tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins was recorded on December 16, 1957 along with Peterson, Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), and Alvin Stoller (drums). The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the Saxophone family a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s Coleman Randolph Hawkins ( November 21 1904 - May 19 1969) Nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean" was a prominent Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) Mitchell Herbert (Herb Ellis (born August 4, 1921) is an American Jazz Guitarist. Raymond Matthews Brown ( October 13 1926 &ndash July 2 2002) was an American Jazz Double bassist. Alvin Stoller ( October 7 1925 &ndash October 19 1992) was an American jazz drummer. The Hawkins and Webster recording is a jazz classic, the coming together of two giants of the tenor saxophone, who had first met back in Kansas City. The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the Saxophone family a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s

In 1956 he recorded a classic set with pianist Art Tatum, supported by bassist Red Callender and drummer Bill Douglass. Arthur Tatum Jr ( October 13, 1909 – November 5, 1956) was an American Jazz Pianist and Virtuoso. Red Callender, ( March 6 1916 &ndash March 8 1992) was a jazz bass and tuba player famous for his work with Duke Ellington 's Orchestra

The final decade, in Europe

Webster generally worked steadily but in 1964 he moved permanently to join other American jazz musicians in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he played when he pleased during his last decade. Copenhagen (ˌkəʊpənˈheɪgən ˌkəʊpənˈhɑːgən ˈkəʊpənˌheɪgən ˈkəʊpənˌhɑːgən kʰøb̥ənˈhɑʊ̯ˀn kʰøb̥m̩ˈhɑʊ̯ˀn is the capital and largest city The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe In 1971 Webster reunited with Duke Ellington and his big band for a couple of shows at the Tivoli Gardens in Denmark. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29 1899 &ndash May 24 1974 was an American Composer, Pianist, and Bandleader. Tivoli Gardens is a famous Amusement park and Pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Ben Webster died in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 1973 and was buried in the Assistens Kirkegård in the Nørrebro section of Copenhagen. Amsterdam (pronounced) is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland in the west The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Nørrebro is the common name for an area in Copenhagen, Denmark located beyond the historic city center (the Indre By) and beyond the location of Although not all that flexible or modern, remaining rooted in the blues and swing-era ballads, Webster could swing with the best and his tone was a later influence on such diverse players as Archie Shepp, Lew Tabackin, Scott Hamilton, David Murray, and Bennie Wallace. Archie Shepp (born May 24, 1937) is a prominent American Jazz Saxophonist. Lew Tabackin (born May 26, 1940 in Philadelphia) is a Jazz Flautist and a tenor saxophonist. Scott Hamilton is a jazz tenor saxophonist, born in 1954 and associated with Swing (music and mainstream jazz David Murray (born February 19, 1955 in Oakland, California, United States) is a notable Jazz musician Bennie Wallace (born November 18, 1946) is an American Post bop, Swing music and Jazz Tenor saxophonist born

The Ben Webster Foundation

After Webster's death, Billy Moore Jr. created The Ben Webster Foundation, together with the trustee of Webster's estate. Since Webster's only legal heir, Harley Robinson in Los Angeles, gladly assigned his rights to the foundation, The Ben Webster Foundation was confirmed by The Queen of Denmark's Seal in 1976. In the Foundation's trust deed, one of the initial paragraphs reads: "to support the dissemination of jazz in Denmark".

It is a beneficial Foundation, which channels Webster's annual royalties to musicians, both in Denmark and the U. S. An annual Ben Webster Prize is awarded to a young outstanding musician. The prize is not large, but considered highly prestigious. Over the years, several American musicians have visited Denmark with the help of the Foundation, and concerts, a few recordings, and other jazz-related events have been supported.

Ben Webster's private collection of Jazz Music is placed in the Jazz collections at the University Library of Southern Denmark, Odense. The Music Department at the University Library of Southern Denmark (SDUB in Odense has through donations and acquisitions since 1997 achieved the status of research archive of specialised

Discography

• King of the Tenors (1953)
• Ben Webster and MJQ - An Exceptional Encounter Live recording (1953)
• Music for Loving and Music with Feeling (both 1955 - now issued on one CD as Ben Webster with Strings)
• The Album Art Tatum and Ben Webster (1956)
• The Soul of Ben Webster (1957)
• Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster (1957)
• Soulville (1957)
• Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson (1959)
• Ben Webster and Associates (1959) (with Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins and others)
• Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster (1959)
• The Warm Moods (1960)
• Ben Webster at the Renaissance (1960)
• Ben and "Sweets" (with Harry Edison) (1962)
• Soulmates (with Joe Zawinul) (1963)
• Live at The Jazzhus Montmartre (1965) there are two volumes, and a compilation called Stormy Weather. Ben Webster and MJQ - An Exceptional Encounter is a live jazz recording from 1953 featuring Ben Webster and the Modern Jazz Quartet. Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster is a classic jazz recording featuring tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster accompanied by Oscar Soulville is a 1957 album by swing tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, recording a session from October 15 1957 which Webster Ben Webster meets Oscar Peterson is a 1959 (see 1959 in music) studio album featuring a jazz trio led by the Canadian Jazz pianist Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster, also simply called Meets Ben Webster, is a 1959 album featuring the November 3 - December 2 studio sessions of Ben and "Sweets" is a 1962 jazz recording by Ben Webster and Harry "Sweets" Edison. Harry "Sweets" Edison ( October 10, 1915 – July 27, 1999) was born in Columbus Ohio. Josef Erich Zawinul ( July 7 1932 &ndash September 11 2007) was a Jazz keyboardist and Composer.

Notes

External links

• Ben Webster — by Scott Yanow, for the All Music Guide
• "Ben Webster played a sultry Sax..."
• The Ben Webster Foundation
• The Jazz collections at the University Library of Southern Denmark

Samples

• of his "Blue Skies"