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Ben Webster and Associates

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Ben Webster and Associates · In 1959 the tenor saxophonist Ben Webster recorded a session for the Verve label that was entirely about the space of the long-playing record. He played together with Coleman Hawkins and Budd Johnson, also both on tenor saxophone, and with the trumpeter Roy Eldridge. The rhythm section consisted of Les Spann on guitar, Jimmy Jones on piano, Ray Brown on bass and Jo Jones on drums.

The centrepiece of the record is In a Mellow Tone by Duke Ellington and Milt Gabler. The piece lasts twenty minutes and fills the whole first side. The soloists do not fight for first place, but jam in a relaxed way, like friends among themselves. The session also became a tribute to Lester Young, a tenor saxophonist of the same generation, who had died less than four weeks earlier. The website Allmusic gave the album four and a half stars.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to In a Mellow Tone and notice how the four soloists give each other room, without it becoming a contest.

Track list

  1. 1In a Mellow Tone20:18Apple Music ↗
  2. 2De-Dar4:41Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Young Bean6:04Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Time After Time4:37Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Budd Johnson9:06Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs