Ben Webster

One of four Ben Webster Black Lion CDs from 1965, this is the only one on which he is matched with other horn players. The great tenor interacts engagingly with trumpeter Arnved Meyer's mainstream quintet, with the resulting music sometimes a bit reminiscent of Duke Ellington's small-group recordings of the 1930s. In addition to his warm versions of "Nancy with the Laughing Face," "My Romance" and "Days of Wine and Roses," it is a pleasure to hear Webster romping on "Stompy Jones" and "The Jeep Is Jumping" over 20 years after he originally left Ellington's band. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi