Ben Webster
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Benjamin Francis Webster (1909-03-27 - 1973-09-20) was an influential American jazz tenor saxophonist.
Ben Webster, born in Kansas City, Missouri, was considered one of the three most important “swing tenors” along with Coleman Hawkins (his main influence) and Lester Young. 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. Webster learned to play piano and violin at an early age, before learning to play the saxophone. 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). 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 Ben Webster became the first major tenor soloist of Duke Ellington’s orchestra. During the next three years he was on many famous recordings, including “Cotton Tail” and “All Too Soon.” After three productive years of playing with Ellington, Webster left the band in an angry altercation, during which he cut up one of Ellington’s suits. 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; and toured with Jazz At The Philharmonic during several seasons in the 1950s.
Ben Webster, born in Kansas City, Missouri, was considered one of the three most important “swing tenors” along with Coleman Hawkins (his main influence) and Lester Young. 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. Webster learned to play piano and violin at an early age, before learning to play the saxophone. 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). 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 Ben Webster became the first major tenor soloist of Duke Ellington’s orchestra. During the next three years he was on many famous recordings, including “
Cotton Tail” and “All Too Soon.” After three productive years of playing with Ellington, Webster left the band in an angry altercation, during which he cut up one of Ellington’s suits. 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; and toured with Jazz At The Philharmonic during several seasons in the 1950s.
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Jazz Master Series #43
Ben Webster
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See You At The Fair
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Jazz 'Round Midnight
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Topaz Jazz
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Shoutbox
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RiggyDardust wrote:
Soulville <3 [2]
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promiscuite wrote:
flap flap flap
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Gooseberrry wrote:
pure beauty, If only it was possible to go to his live concert
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Mr_Johnny_Space wrote:
гениальный..
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sna033 wrote:
how does this guy have less than 500k listeners is beyond my head
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Druid66 wrote:
He could blow with the best of them, and that's meant in a highly complimentary fashion. "Chelsea Bridge", of course, reminds me of England. (-:
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LedHeadTilDeath wrote:
Soulville <3
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bloodmaw wrote:
v v at the same time
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Madrangue wrote:
This is great music for sex and studying.
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barryvs wrote:
Great jazz this is.
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molfi wrote:
simply the best...
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TheJudasMaster wrote:
Great stuff.
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musicgodlything wrote:
"smooth jazz" - reminds me of that bit in Ghost World about "white boy" Blues
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mugshot_tim wrote:
who tagged Ben Webster with smooth jazz.. he would turn in his grave
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Kwidzinski wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et4aZchbr2g
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jj6z wrote:
Benny its a GIANT
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uramaa wrote:
bi gün bende senin gibi çalabilirim inşallah
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F_Hole wrote:
Thank you, God, for the music of Ben Webster!
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HEHY wrote:
Нереально Великолепнейшая Музыка.
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ViktorKrig wrote:
Tea for Two <3... Ben Webster is awsome!
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Recent Activity
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Balodiba, FiniMarcel, rippoki44 and 5 other people added Ben Webster to their libraries. 11 hours ago
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esbartolo wrote about Ben Webster in ESB Jazz Radio - New and upcoming releases - January 2012. Sunday evening
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Uhwelluh wrote about Ben Webster in Riffin' broadcast. last week
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SantaEvita tagged Ben Webster with cool jazz, smooth jazz, swing and 2 other tags. last month
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worinimabi tagged Ben Webster with saxophone and jazz. last month
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Pedroraposa tagged Ben Webster with swing, saxophone and jazz. last month
Related Journals
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ESB Jazz Radio - New and upcoming releases - January 2012
by esbartolo |
5 Feb 2012
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Riffin' broadcast
by Uhwelluh |
4 Feb 2012
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ESB Jazz Radio - New and upcoming releases - December 2011
by esbartolo |
3 Jan 2012
Groups (15)
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Clifford Brown
92 members
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Swing
955 members
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Jazz Brasil
851 members
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Saxophone Jazz
681 members
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Audacity
177 members
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