Ben Webster

Almost 25 years into his recording career, tenor saxophonist Ben Webster made a series of studio recordings under the supervision of producer Norman Granz. These marvelous performances were reissued in chronological sequence by the Classics label in 2008. Each volume of Ben Webster on Classics is richly packed with satisfying ballads, blues, and swing. This installment borders between superb and divine. Three titles recorded for Mercury on January 22, 1953, find Webster soloing in front of an orchestra conducted by Johnny Richards, a student of Arnold Schoenberg who served as an arranger for Stan Kenton. Recorded at sessions that took place in April and December 1953, tracks four through 12 were originally released on the Norgran album King of the Tenors. The collective personnel from these dates is typical of the Granz "embarrassment of riches" approach, for here were trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, alto saxophonist Benny Carter, pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarists Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer J.C. Heard. Tracks 13-16 were recorded on March 30, 1954, with the assistance of pianist Teddy Wilson, bassist Ray Brown, and drummers Alvin Stoller and Jo Jones. This material, along with the rest of the titles on the collection, formed the Verve album Music for Loving. On tracks 17-21, Ben Webster interprets sensuous ballads backed by the Ralph Burns Orchestra. In addition to a string section, the ensemble included clarinetist Tony Scott, bassist George Duvivier, drummer Louis Bellson, and composer/pianist/arranger Billy Strayhorn. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide