Soulville (Remaster) (CD)

Saxophonist Ben Webster first gained recognition as a featured soloist with the Benny Moten band in the early 1930s. After stints with Fletcher Henderson, Benny Carter, and Cab Calloway, among others, he joined the Duke Ellington band in 1940, galvanizing its veteran reed section. Duke showcased him on such masterpieces as "Cottontail" and "All Too Soon," but the volatile tenor man left after a few years, continuing to play in a wide variety of contexts. Though perhaps less an innovator than Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young, he completes the trio of great pre-war tenors, and his warm, breathy sound is instantly recognizable.

• Category:  Music  »  Jazz  »  Tenor Sax
• Format: CD   Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
• Release Date: February 25, 2003
• Label: Verve (USA)
• UPC: 731452144928
• WAPI (Tower ID): 105797529
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• Tower.com Sales Rank: #43449 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
• #3283 in Jazz (See Top 100 Jazz Bestsellers)
• #138 in Tenor Sax (See Top 100 Tenor Sax Bestsellers)

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Personnel: Ben Webster (tenor saxophone, piano); Oscar Peterson (piano); Herb Ellis (guitar); Ray Brown (bass); Stan Levey (drums).

Recorded in Hollywood, California on October 15, 1957. Originally released on Verve (8274). Includes liner notes by Barry Alfonso.

On this 1957 date, Webster is teamed up with the great Oscar Peterson Quartet. Supporting Webster on each track, this music lays "in the pocket" (as musicians would say) quite well. Much of this is due to drummer Stan Levey's buoyant swing. Webster himself is heard on two simple blues numbers of his own penning including the title track and "Late Date." Other songs include the standards "Lover Come Back To Me," "Where Are You," and "Makin' Whoopee." Perhaps the most riveting tune on SOULVILLE, however, is the beautiful ballad "Time on My Hands."

Indeed, Webster is one of the most brilliant instrumental balladeers jazz has ever produced. No one can get that airy (even sultry) tone quite like Webster. Finally, as an intriguing bonus, we hear Webster perform three tunes in duet with Levey. Intriguingly, Webster plays piano on these tracks! Using an antiquated stride/boogie woogie style, Webster shows that his talent reaches beyond the saxophone.

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