Benjamin Francis Webster (March 27, 1909 – September 20, 1973) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

tenor

saxophonist The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of Single-reed instrument, single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed (mouthpi ...

. He performed in the United States and Europe and made many recordings with

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American Jazz piano, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous Big band, jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D ...

Billie Holiday Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday made significant contributions to jazz music and pop ...

Johnny Hodges Johnny Hodges (July 25, 1907 – May 11, 1970) was an American alto saxophone, alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years. Hodges was also featured on sop ...

, and others.

Career

Early life and career

A native of

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by List of cities in Missouri, population and area. The city lies within Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, Clay County, Missouri, Clay, and Pl ...

, he studied

violin The violin, sometimes referred to as a fiddle, is a wooden chordophone, and is the smallest, and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in regular use in the violin family. Smaller violin-type instruments exist, including the violino picc ...

, learned how to play

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...

on the piano from Pete Johnson, and received saxophone lessons from

Budd Johnson Albert J. "Budd" Johnson III (December 14, 1910 – October 20, 1984) was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist who worked extensively with, among others, Ben Webster, Benny Goodman, Big Joe Turner, Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke ...

. He played with

Lester Young Lester Willis Young (August 27, 1909 – March 15, 1959), nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist. Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie's orchestra, Young was one of the most i ...

in the Young Family Band. He recorded with

Blanche Calloway Blanche Dorothea Jones Calloway (February 9, 1902 – December 16, 1978) was an American jazz singer, composer, and bandleader. She was the older sister of Cab Calloway and was a successful singer before her brother. With a music career that span ...

and became a member of the

Bennie Moten Benjamin Moten (November 13, 1893 – April 2, 1935) was an American jazz pianist and band leader born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. He led his Kansas City Orchestra, the most important of the regional, blues-based orchest ...

Orchestra with

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

Hot Lips Page Oran Thaddeus "Hot Lips" Page (January 27, 1908 – November 5, 1954) was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and bandleader. He was known as a scorching soloist and powerful vocalist. Page was a member of Walter Page's Blue Devils, Artie Sh ...

, and

Walter Page Walter Sylvester Page (February 9, 1900 – December 20, 1957) was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist and bandleader, best known for his groundbreaking work as a double bass player with Walter Page's Blue Devils and the Count Basie Orchest ...

. During the 1930s, he played in bands led by

Willie Bryant William Stevens Bryant (August 30, 1908 – February 9, 1964) was an American jazz bandleader, vocalist, and disc jockey, known as the "Mayor of Harlem". Biography Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, while growing up he took trumpet lesso ...

Benny Carter Bennett Lester Carter (August 8, 1907 – July 12, 2003) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. With Johnny Hodges, he was a pioneer on the alto saxophone. From the beginning of his career ...

Cab Calloway Cabell "Cab" Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994) was an American jazz singer and bandleader. He was a regular performer at the Cotton Club in Harlem, where he became a popular vocalist of the Swing music, swing era. His niche ...

Fletcher Henderson James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson (December 18, 1897 – December 29, 1952) was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. He was one of the most prolific black musical ...

, Andy Kirk, and

Teddy Wilson Theodore Shaw Wilson (November 24, 1912 – July 31, 1986) was an American jazz pianist. Described by critic Scott Yanow as "the definitive Swing music, swing pianist", Wilson's piano style was gentle, elegant, and virtuosic. His style was high ...

With Ellington

Webster was a soloist with the

Duke Ellington Orchestra Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was ba ...

starting in 1940, appearing on "Cotton Tail". He considered

, an alto saxophonist in the Ellington Orchestra, a major influence on his playing.

Gunther Schuller Gunther Alexander Schuller (November 22, 1925June 21, 2015) was an American composer, conductor, horn player, author, historian, educator, publisher, and jazz musician. Biography and works Early years Schuller was born in Queens, New York City ...

wrote in 1989, that Hodges' influence pushed him away from his original inspiration by Coleman Hawkins. Webster became close to

Jimmy Blanton James Blanton (October 5, 1918 – July 30, 1942) was an American jazz double bassist. Blanton is credited with being the originator of more complex pizzicato and arco bass solos in a jazz context than previous bassists. Nicknamed "Jimmie," Blant ...

and

Billy Strayhorn William Thomas Strayhorn (November 29, 1915 – May 31, 1967) was an American jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger who collaborated with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington for nearly three decades. His compositions include "Take the ...

, the other two newcomers to Ellington's orbit. Webster's personality, however, proved difficult for most members of the orchestra and for Ellington. It was not possible, according to

Mercer Ellington Mercer Kennedy Ellington (March 11, 1919 – February 8, 1996) was an American musician, composer, and arranger. His father was Duke Ellington, whose band Mercer led for 20 years after his father's death. Biography Early life and education Elli ...

, for his father and the saxophonist to be in the same room without an argument developing. Webster cried when he heard Blanton had died, but as baritone player

Harry Carney Harry Howell Carney (April 1, 1910 – October 8, 1974) was a jazz saxophonist and clarinettist who spent over four decades as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He played a variety of instruments, but primarily used the baritone saxophon ...

recalled, "After he had a drink or two, he'd change". Webster left the band in 1943. Reportedly, he cut one of Ellington's sports jackets with a razor as one of his last acts as a member of the Ellington orchestra.

Clark Terry Clark Virgil Terry Jr. (December 14, 1920 – February 21, 2015) was an American Swing music, swing and bebop trumpeter, a pioneer of the flugelhorn in jazz, and a composer and educator. He played with Charlie Barnet (1947), Count Basie (1948� ...

said the departure was because Webster slapped Ellington.

Later American career

Webster worked on 52nd Street in New York City, where he recorded frequently as a leader and sideman. During this time he worked with

Raymond Scott Raymond Scott (born Harry Warnow; September 10, 1908 – February 8, 1994) was an American composer, band leader, pianist and record producer. Known best in his time as a composer of production music, Scott is today regarded as an early ...

, John Kirby, Bill DeArango,

Sid Catlett Sidney "Big Sid" Catlett (January 17, 1910 – March 25, 1951) was an American jazz drummer. Catlett was one of the most versatile drummers of his era, adapting with the changing music scene as bebop emerged. Early life Catlett was born in Eva ...

Jay McShann James Columbus "Jay" McShann (January 12, 1916 – December 7, 2006) was an American jazz pianist, vocalist, composer, and bandleader. He led bands in Kansas City, Missouri, that included Charlie Parker, Bernard Anderson, Walter Brown, and B ...

, and

Jimmy Witherspoon James Witherspoon (August 8, 1920 – September 18, 1997) was an American jump blues and jazz singer. Early life, family and education Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas. His father was a railroad worker who sang in local choirs, an ...

. For a few months in 1948, he returned briefly to Ellington's orchestra. In 1953, he recorded ''The Consummate Artistry of Ben Webster'' (now known as '' King of the Tenors'') with pianist

Oscar Peterson Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. As a virtuoso who is considered to be one of the greatest Jazz piano, jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordin ...

, who would be an important collaborator with Webster throughout the decade in his recordings for the various labels of

Norman Granz Norman Granz (August 6, 1918 – November 22, 2001) was an American jazz record producer and concert promoter. He founded the record labels Clef, Norgran, Down Home, Verve, and Pablo and the Jazz at the Philharmonic concert series. Gra ...

. Along with Peterson, trumpeter

Harry "Sweets" Edison Harry "Sweets" Edison (October 10, 1915 – July 27, 1999) was an American jazz trumpeter and a member of the Count Basie Orchestra. His most important contribution was as a Hollywood studio musician, whose muted trumpet can be heard backi ...

and others, he was touring and recording with Granz's

Jazz at the Philharmonic Jazz at the Philharmonic, or JATP (1944–1983), was the title of a series of jazz concerts, tours and recordings produced by Norman Granz. Over the years, "Jazz at the Philharmonic" featured many of the era's preeminent musicians, including Loui ...

package. In 1956, he recorded an album with pianist

Art Tatum Arthur Tatum Jr. (, October 13, 1909 – November 5, 1956) was an American jazz pianist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever. From early in his career, fellow musicians acclaimed Tatum's technical ability as extraordinary. Tatum a ...

, supported by bassist

Red Callender George Sylvester "Red" Callender (March 6, 1916 – March 8, 1992) was an American string bass and tuba player. He is perhaps best known as a jazz musician, but worked with an array of pop, rock and vocal acts as a member of The Wrecking Cre ...

and drummer Bill Douglass. ''

Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster ''Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster'' is a studio album recorded on October 16, 1957, by Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster, accompanied by a rhythm section led by Oscar Peterson. In the United Kingdom, the album was released with the title ' ...

'' with fellow tenor saxophonist

Coleman Hawkins Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Yanow, Scot"Coleman Hawkins: Artist Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2013. One of the first ...

was recorded on December 16, 1957, along with Peterson,

Herb Ellis Mitchell Herbert Ellis (August 4, 1921 – March 28, 2010) was an American jazz guitarist. During the 1950s, he was in a trio with pianist Oscar Peterson. Biography Born in Farmersville, Texas, Ellis grew up on a farm. He was first exposed ...

(guitar), Ray Brown (bass), and

Alvin Stoller Alvin Stoller (October 7, 1925 – October 19, 1992) was an American Jazz drumming, jazz drummer. He was best known for playing drums on both Mitch Miller's recording of "The Yellow Rose of Texas (song), The Yellow Rose of Texas" and Stan Fr ...

(drums). The Hawkins and Webster recording saw the coming together of two giants of the tenor saxophone, who had first met back in Kansas City. In the late 1950s, he formed a quintet with

Gerry Mulligan Gerald Joseph Mulligan (April 6, 1927 – January 20, 1996), also known as Jeru, was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, pianist, composer and arranger. Though primarily known as one of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists—playing t ...

and played frequently at a club in Los Angeles called Renaissance. It was there that the Webster-Mulligan group backed up blues singer

on an album recorded live for the Hi-Fi Jazz label. That same year, 1959, the quintet, with pianist

Jimmy Rowles James George Hunter (August 19, 1918 – May 28, 1996), known professionally as Jimmy Rowles (sometimes spelled Jimmie Rowles), was an American jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer. As a bandleader and accompanist, he explored multiple styles in ...

, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Mel Lewis, also recorded '' Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster'' for

Verve Records Verve Records is an active American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). Founded in 1956 by Norman Granz, the label is home to the world's largest jazz catalogue, which includes recordings by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Ca ...

In Europe

Webster worked steadily, but in late 1964 he moved to Europe, working with other expatriate American jazz musicians and local musicians. He played when he pleased during his last decade. He lived in London and several locations in Scandinavia for one year, followed by three years in Amsterdam, and made his last home in Copenhagen in 1969. Webster appeared as a sax player in a low-rent cabaret club in the 1970 Danish blue film titled '' Quiet Days in Clichy''. In 1971, Webster reunited with

and his orchestra for a couple of shows at the

Tivoli Gardens Tivoli Gardens, also known simply as Tivoli (), is an amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. The park opened on 15 August 1843 and is the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world, after Dyrehavsbakken in nearby Kla ...

in Copenhagen; he also recorded "live" in France with

Earl Hines Earl Kenneth Hines, also known as Earl "Fatha" Hines (December 28, 1903 – April 22, 1983), was an American jazz pianist and bandleader. He was one of the most influential figures in the development of jazz piano and, according to one source, " ...

. He also recorded or performed with Buck Clayton, Bill Coleman and Teddy Wilson. Webster suffered a

stroke Stroke is a medical condition in which poor cerebral circulation, blood flow to a part of the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: brain ischemia, ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and intracranial hemorrhage, hemor ...

in Amsterdam in September 1973, following a performance at the Twee Spieghels in

Leiden Leiden ( ; ; in English language, English and Archaism, archaic Dutch language, Dutch also Leyden) is a List of cities in the Netherlands by province, city and List of municipalities of the Netherlands, municipality in the Provinces of the Nethe ...

, and died on September 20. His body was cremated in Copenhagen and his ashes were buried in the

Assistens Cemetery An Assistens Cemetery () is a cemetery that functions as an expansion of another, older cemetery often in relation to a city church. Already by the end of the 17th century, Danish authorities deemed that the conditions for inner-city cemeteries we ...

in the

Nørrebro Nørrebro (, ) is one of the 10 official districts of Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark. It is northwest of the city centre, beyond the location of the old Northern Gate (''Nørreport''), which, until dismantled in 1856, was near the current N ...

section of the city. Webster's private collection of jazz recordings and memorabilia is archived in the jazz collections at the University Library of Southern Denmark, Odense. Ben Webster used the same saxophone from 1938 until his death in 1973. He left instructions that the horn was never to be played again. It is on display in the

Institute of Jazz Studies The Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) is the largest and most comprehensive library and archives of jazz and jazz-related materials in the world. It is located on the fourth floor of the John Cotton Dana Library at Rutgers University–Newark in Ne ...

at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Ben Webster has a street named after him in southern Copenhagen, "Ben Websters Vej".

Ben Webster Foundation

After Webster's death, Billy Moore Jr. and the trustee of Webster's estate created the Ben Webster Foundation, a non-profit organization in Denmark. During the eight years Webster lived in Denmark, he lacked a manager or agent to take care of his artistic rights. In 1972, he joined Billy Moore Jr., arranger for

Jimmie Lunceford James Melvin Lunceford (June 6, 1902 – July 12, 1947) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and bandleader in the swing era. Early life Lunceford was born on a farm in the Evergreen community, west of the Tombigbee River, near Fulton, ...

. Moore clarified Webster's recording history to secure his

royalties A royalty payment is a payment made by one party to another that owns a particular asset, for the right to ongoing use of that asset. Royalties are typically agreed upon as a percentage of gross or net revenues derived from the use of an asset or ...

. Moore started the Ben Webster Foundation with the trustee of Webster's estate. Webster's sole legal heir, Harley Robinson of Los Angeles, gladly assigned his rights to the Foundation. The Ben Webster Foundation was confirmed by the

Queen of Denmark The monarchy of Denmark is a constitutional institution and a historic office of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Kingdom includes Denmark proper and the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The Kingdom of Denmark was alrea ...

's Seal in 1976. In the Foundation's trust deed, one of the initial paragraphs reads: "to support the dissemination of jazz in Denmark". The trust is a beneficial foundation which channels Webster's annual royalties to musicians in both Denmark and the U.S. An annual

Ben Webster Prize The Ben Webster Prize is an annual jazz award set up by the Ben Webster Foundation to honour Denmark, Danish and United States, American jazz musicians as well as other professionals active in the promotion of jazz in those countries. The American ...

is awarded to a young outstanding musician. The prize is not large, but is 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. The board of the foundation consists of close friends and fans of Webster. Webster's annual royalties are conveyed back to musicians both in Denmark and the U.S. The

is awarded annually by vote to one outstanding young musician. American musicians have visited Denmark to help the foundation by giving concerts. The Board of Trustees monitors Webster's artistic rights and reissues of his music. The foundation concentrates on the legality, quality, and validity of these reissues. In 2009,

Ernie Wilkins Ernest Brooks Wilkins Jr. (July 20, 1922 – June 5, 1999) was an American jazz saxophonist, conductor and arranger who spent several years with Count Basie. He also wrote for Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Dizzy Gillespie. He was musical direct ...

's Almost Big Band opened the

Copenhagen Jazz Festival Copenhagen Jazz Festival is a jazz event every July in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Copenhagen Jazz Festival was established in 1979, but beginning in 1964 Tivoli Gardens presented a series of concerts under the name Copenhagen Jazz Festiv ...

with a concert at the Copenhagen Jazzhouse which included the "All Time Battle of Tenor Saxophones" presented by the Webster Foundation.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

* 1944-46 - ''The Chronological'' (Classics, ?) * 1946-51 - ''The Chronological'' (Classics, ?) * 1953 ''- King of the Tenors'' (Verve, 1957) originally released as ''The Consummate Artistry of Ben Webster'' ( Norgran, 1954). * 1955 - '' Music for Loving'' (Norgran, 1955) * 1956 -''

The Art Tatum – Ben Webster Quartet ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

'' (Verve, 1958) – reissued as ''

The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Volume Eight ''The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Volume Eight'' is an album by pianist Art Tatum and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, with Red Callender on double bass and Bill Douglass on drums. The 1956 session was originally released in 1958 on Verve Records a ...

'' (Pablo) * 1958 - '' Soulville'' (Verve, 1958) * ''

'' (Verve, 1959) * ''

Ben Webster and Associates Ben is frequently used as a shortened version of the given names Benjamin, Benedict, Bennett, Benson or Ebenezer, and is also a given name in its own right. Ben meaning "son of" is also found in Arabic as ''Ben'' (dialectal Arabic) or ''bin' ...

'' (Verve, 1959) * '' Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson'' (Verve, 1959) * ''At the Renaissance'' – with

and

, (HiFi Jazz, 1959

960 Year 960 ( CMLX) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. It was the 960th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 960th year of the 1st millennium, the 60th year of the 10th century, and the firs ...

* ''

Ben Webster at the Renaissance ''Ben Webster at the Renaissance'' is a live album by American jazz saxophonist Ben Webster featuring tracks recorded in California in 1960 and released on the Contemporary label.985 Year 985 ( CMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – Henry II (the Wrangler) is restored as duke of Bavaria by Empress Theophanu and her mother-in-law Adelaide at an ...

* '' Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster'' (Verve, 1960) * '' The Soul of Ben Webster'' (Verve, 1960) * '' The Warm Moods'' (Reprise, 1961) * '' BBB & Co.'' (Swingville, 1962) – with Benny Carter and

Barney Bigard Albany Leon "Barney" Bigard (March 3, 1906 – June 27, 1980) was an American jazz clarinetist known for his 15-year tenure with Duke Ellington. He also played tenor saxophone. Biography Bigard was born in New Orleans to Creoles of color, Cr ...

* ''

Wanted to Do One Together ''Wanted to Do One Together'' (also released as ''Ben and "Sweets"'') is an album by Ben Webster and Harry "Sweets" Edison, recorded in 1962 and released by the Columbia label.Gallagher, BEnciclopedia del Jazz: Harry Sweets Edison accessed July ...

'' (Columbia, 1962) * '' Soulmates'' with Joe Zawinul (Riverside, 1963) * '' See You at the Fair'' (Impulse!, 1964) * ''Live at Pio's'' (Enja, 1964) * ''Ben Webster's First Concert in Denmark'' (Storyville, 1965) * ''Intimate!'' (Fontana, 1965) – recorded at the Café Montmartre, Copenhagen & reconfigured for Black Lion reissues * 1965.09 - ''The Jeep Is Jumping'' (Black Lion, 1990) * ''Blue Light'' (International Polydor ermany 1966) – later re-released as ''Atmosphere For Lovers and Thieves'' * ''Big Ben Time!'' (Fontana, 1967) * ''Ben Webster Meets Don Byas'' (SABA, 1968) * ''Big Sound'' (Polydor, 1969) * ''Ben Webster at Ease'' (Ember, 1969) * ''For the Guv'nor'' (Columbia, 1969) * ''Wayfaring Webster'' (Timeless, 1970) * ''Webster's Dictionary'' (Philips, 1970) * ''Ben at His Best'' (RCA Victor, 1970) * ''Atmosphere For Lovers And Thieves'' (Black Lion, 1971) * ''Autumn Leaves'' with Georges Arvanitas (Futura, 1972) * ''Swingin' in London'' (Black Lion, 1972) * ''Live at The Haarlemse Jazz Club'' - with

Tete Montoliu Vicenç Montoliu i Massana, better known as Tete Montoliu (28 March 1933 – 24 August 1997) was a Spanish jazz pianist from Catalonia, Spain. Born blind, he learnt braille music at age seven. His styles varied from hard bop, through Afro-Cuban, ...

(Timeless, 1972) * ''Ben Webster in Hot House'' - with

(Timeless, 1972) * 1972.11 - ''Gentle Ben'' - with

(Ensayo, 1972) reissued as ''Did You Call?'' (Nessa, 1978) * '' My Man: Live at Montmartre 1973'' (

Steeplechase SteepleChase Records is a jazz record company and label based in Copenhagen, Denmark. SteepleChase was founded in 1972 by Nils Winther, who was a student at Copenhagen University at the time. He began recording concerts at Jazzhus Montmartre, ...

, 1973) * ''Previously Unreleased Recordings'' (Verve, 1974) * 1965.01 - ''Saturday Night at the Montmartre'' (Black Lion, 1974) – reissued on CD in expanded form as ''Stormy Weather'' (Black Lion, 1989) * 1953 - ''Rare Live Performance 1962'' (Musidisc, 1975) – reissued on CD as '' 1953: An Exceptional Encounter'' (The Jazz Factory, 2000) * 1944-58 - ''Ben and the Boys'' (Jazz Archives, 1976) Newly discovered recs. * 1965.01 - ''Sunday Morning at the Montmartre'' (Black Lion, 1977) reissued on CD in expanded form as ''Gone With the Wind'' (Black Lion, 1989) * 1964 - ''Layin' Back with Ben Vol. 1'' (Honeydew, 1977) * 1964 - ''Layin' Back with Ben Vol. 2'' (Honeydew, 1977) * ''Carol & Ben'' (Honeydew, 1977) * 1944 - ''The Horn'' (Circle, 1982) * 1967-69 - ''Plays Duke Ellington'' (Storyville, 1988) * 1969-71- ''Ben Webster Plays Ballads'' (Storyville, 1988) * 1967.04 - ''Meets Bill Coleman'' (Black Lion, 1989) * 1972 - ''Live in Paris 1972'' (France's Concert, 1989) * 1969.01 - ''Live in Amsterdam'' (Affinity, 1989)

As sideman

With

Harry Edison Harry "Sweets" Edison (October 10, 1915 – July 27, 1999) was an American jazz trumpeter and a member of the Count Basie Orchestra. His most important contribution was as a Hollywood studio musician, whose muted trumpet can be heard back ...

* ''

Sweets Candy, alternatively called sweets or lollies, is a confection that features sugar as a principal ingredient. The category, also called ''sugar confectionery'', encompasses any sweet confection, including chocolate, chewing gum, and sugar can ...

'' (Clef, 1956) * '' Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You'' (Verve, 1957) With

* ''1940–42 -

The Blanton–Webster Band ''The Blanton–Webster Band'' is a compilation album that combines the master takes of all the recordings by Duke Ellington's Orchestra during the years of 1940 to 1942, involving bassist Jimmy Blanton and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster. T ...

'' (Bluebird, 1986) * ''1940–42 - Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band'' (RCA-BMG, 2003) (3xCD) * ''1940–41 - The Great Ellington Units'' (Bluebird, 1988) Sessions under the nominal leadership of

and

Rex Stewart Rex William Stewart Jr. (February 22, 1907 – September 7, 1967) was an American jazz cornetist who was a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra. Career As a boy he studied piano and violin; most of his career was spent on cornet. Stewart dro ...

With

* ''

The Blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narra ...

'' (Norgran, 1955) * ''

Blues-a-Plenty ''Blues A-Plenty'' is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges featuring performances recorded in 1958 and released on the Verve label. Reception The Allmusic site awarded the album 3 stars. Track listing ''All compositions ...

'' (Verve, 1958) * ''

Not So Dukish ''Not So Dukish'' is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges featuring performances recorded in 1958 and released on the Verve Records, Verve label.

'' (Verve, 1958) With

* '' Body and Soul'' (Verve, 1957) * ''

Songs for Distingué Lovers ''Songs for Distingué Lovers'' is an album by jazz singer Billie Holiday, released in 1958 on Verve Records. It was originally available in both mono (catalogue number MGV 8257) and stereo (catalog number MGVS 6021). It was recorded at Capitol ...

'' (Verve, 1958) * '' All or Nothing at All '' (Verve, 1958) With

Richard "Groove" Holmes Richard Arnold "Groove" Holmes (May 2, 1931 – June 29, 1991) was an American jazz organist who performed in the hard bop and soul jazz genre. He is best known for his 1965 recording of "Misty". Career Holmes's first album, on Pacific Jazz ...

* '' "Groove"'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961) * '' Tell It Like It Tis'' (Pacific Jazz, 1966) – rec. 1961 With others *

, '' String Along with Basie'' (Roulette, 1960) *

Buddy Bregman Louis Isidore "Buddy" Bregman (July 9, 1930 – January 8, 2017) was an American arranger and conductor. Biography Bregman was born in Chicago. His father was an executive in the steel industry. His uncle was songwriter Jule Styne. He spe ...

, '' Swinging Kicks'' (Verve, 1957) *

, ''

Jazz Giant ''Jazz Giant'' is a studio album by jazz pianist Bud Powell, released on Norgran in 1950, featuring two sessions that Powell recorded for Norman Granz in 1949 and 1950. The album was remastered and re-released on CD in 2001 by Verve as a Ver ...

'' (Contemporary, 1958) *

Dizzy Gillespie John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie ( ; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improvisation, improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy El ...

, ''

The Complete RCA Victor Recordings ''The Complete RCA Victor Recordings'' is a 1995 compilation 2-CD set of sessions led by Jazz trumpeter and composer Dizzy Gillespie recorded for the RCA Victor label between 1937 and 1949. Reception Writing for Allmusic, Richard S. Ginell stat ...

'' (Bluebird, 1995) *

Lionel Hampton Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002) was an American jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, and bandleader. He worked with jazz musicians from Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman, and Buddy Rich, to Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, an ...

, '' You Better Know It!!!'' (Impulse, 1965) *

, ''

Coleman Hawkins and Confrères ''Coleman Hawkins and Confrères'' is an album by saxophonist Coleman Hawkins which was recorded in 1958 (with one track from 1957) and released on the Verve Records, Verve label.Evensmo, JThe Tenor Sax of Coleman Hawkins Part 3: 1950 - 1959 Retr ...

'' (Verve, 1958) *

Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roo ...

, ''

Songs for Hip Lovers ''Songs for Hip Lovers'' is a 1957 vocal album by the jazz bandleader Woody Herman, arranged by Marty Paich. Recording and music The album was recorded in two sessions, in January and March 1957. The material is standards and the arrangements a ...

'' (Verve, 1957) *

Illinois Jacquet Jean-Baptiste Illinois Jacquet (October 30, 1922 – July 22, 2004) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on " Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo. He is also known as one of the w ...

, '' The Kid and the Brute'' (Clef, 1955) *

Barney Kessel Barney Kessel (October 17, 1923 – May 6, 2004) was an American jazz guitarist. Known in particular for his knowledge of chords and inversions and chord-based melodies, he was a member of many prominent jazz groups as well as a "first call" gu ...

, ''

Let's Cook! ''Let's Cook!'' is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel recorded at sessions in 1957 but not released on the Contemporary label until 1962.

'' (Contemporary, 1962) *

Mundell Lowe James Mundell Lowe (April 21, 1922 – December 2, 2017) was an American jazz guitarist who worked often in radio, television, and film, and as a session musician. He produced film and TV scores in the 1970s, such as the '' Billy Jack'' soundtra ...

, ''

Porgy & Bess ''Porgy and Bess'' ( ) is an English-language opera by American composer George Gershwin, with a libretto written by author DuBose Heyward and lyricist Ira Gershwin. It was adapted from Dorothy Heyward and DuBose Heyward's play '' Porgy'', its ...

'' (RCA Camden, 1958) *

Les McCann Leslie Coleman McCann (September 23, 1935 – December 29, 2023) was an American jazz pianist and vocalist. He is known for his innovations in soul jazz and his Swiss Movement, 1969 recording of the protest song "Compared to What". His music ha ...

, ''

Les McCann Sings ''Les McCann Sings'' is an album by pianist and vocalist Les McCann recorded in 1961 and released on the Pacific Jazz label. Reception The AllMusic review by Ron Wynn called the album: "A super set.... Soul-jazz and blues at their best." Tr ...

'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961) *

Carmen McRae Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American jazz singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretati ...

, ''

Birds of a Feather Birds of a feather flock together is an English proverb. Birds of a Feather may also refer to: Film * ''Birds of a Feather'' (1917 film), a film starring Harold Lloyd * ''Birds of a Feather'' (1931 film), Walt Disney ''Silly Symphony'' animate ...

'' (Decca, 1958) *

Oliver Nelson Oliver Edward Nelson (June 4, 1932 – October 28, 1975) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, composer, and bandleader. His 1961 Impulse! album '' The Blues and the Abstract Truth'' (1961) is regarded as one of the most signi ...

, ''

More Blues and the Abstract Truth ''More Blues and the Abstract Truth'' is an album by American jazz composer, conductor and arranger Oliver Nelson featuring performances recorded in 1964 for the Impulse! label.

'' (Impulse!, 1964) *

Buddy Rich Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer, songwriter, conductor, and bandleader. He is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time. Rich was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, ...

, '' The Wailing Buddy Rich'' (Norgran, 1955) *

, '' The Happy Horns of Clark Terry'' (Impulse!, 1964) * Joe Williams, '' At Newport '63'' (RCA Victor, 1963)

References

External links

Ben Webster Benjamin Francis Webster (March 27, 1909 – September 20, 1973) was an American jazz tenor Saxophone, saxophonist. He performed in the United States and Europe and made many recordings with Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Johnny Hodges, a ...

— by Scott Yanow, for Allmusic
"Ben Webster played a sultry Sax..."

The Ben Webster Foundation

The Jazz collections at the University Library of Southern Denmark

Ben Webster recordings
at the

Discography of American Historical Recordings The Discography of American Historical Recordings (DAHR) is a database catalog of master recordings made by American record companies during the 78rpm era. The 78rpm era was the time period in which any flat disc records were being played at ...

. {{DEFAULTSORT:Webster, Ben 1909 births 1973 deaths Musicians from Kansas City, Missouri Swing saxophonists American jazz tenor saxophonists American male saxophonists Mainstream jazz saxophonists Duke Ellington Orchestra members American expatriates in Denmark American expatriates in the United Kingdom American expatriates in the Netherlands Jazz musicians from Missouri Nessa Records artists Blue Note Records artists American emigrants to Denmark Naturalised citizens of Denmark 20th-century American saxophonists American male jazz musicians The Cab Calloway Orchestra members Black Lion Records artists 20th-century American male musicians DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame members