Artist: Ben Webster
Album: Ben Webster Plays Duke Ellington (Remastered)
Genre: Jazz
Release Date: 2018
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24bit, 192 kHz
Duration: 47:22
Total Tracks: 9
Total Size: 1,69 GB

Tracklist:

1. Ben Webster – Perdido (08:39)
2. Ben Webster – Johnny Come Lately (04:47)
3. Ben Webster – In a Mellow Tone (06:58)
4. Ben Webster – Cottontail (04:56)
5. Ben Webster – Rockin’ Rhythm: Rockin’ in Rhythm (05:39)
6. Ben Webster – Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (03:05)
7. Ben Webster – Stompy Jones (05:34)
8. Ben Webster – Cottontail (03:19)
9. Ben Webster – Bojangles (04:20)

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For many people Ben Webster is indelibly linked with the name of Duke Ellington. Ben had a long and distinguished career, of which his work with Duke was only a small part, but the crucial exposure just as he reached musical maturity was given by Ellington, and that maturity was hastened by the challenge of playing with Ellington. Yet he also gave a lot to the band and to the continuing Ellington tradition.

In other words, he created the role of the tenor saxophone with Duke. Before he joined for his longest stay (in January 1940), there had been no expectation of significant tenor contributions – despite Ben’s previous brief encounters in 1935 and 1936. But, in far less time than the 3 ½ years he remained, Ben had made the tenor an Ellingtonian voice almost as strong as Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney on alto and baritone. His departure left a huge hole in Duke’s music, which was filled by a series of heavyweight soloists including Al Sears, Jimmy Forrest, Don Byas, Ben again, and the great Paul Gonsalves.”Although he was only a member of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra for three years, tenor-saxophonist Ben Webster was linked with Duke Ellington throughout his career. This 2xHD release features the great tenor playing nine songs associated with Ellington. The music is drawn from five separate sessions including trio gigs with pianists Kenny Drew and Teddy Wilson and three with The Danish Radio Band. The emphasis is on uptempo pieces such as “Perdido,” “Rockin’ in Rhythm” and “Stompy Jones;” a special highlight are the two very different versions of “Cottontail.” (Scott Yanow, AMG)