1. Benjamin Francis Webster was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.
23 Facts About Ben Webster
1. 2.
Ben Webster performed in the United States and Europe and made many recording with Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Johnny Hodges, and others.
3.
Ben Webster played with Lester Young in the Young Family Band.
4.
Ben Webster recorded with Blanche Calloway and became a member of the Bennie Moten Orchestra with Count Basie, Hot Lips Page, and Walter Page.
5.
Ben Webster was a soloist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra starting in 1940, appearing on "Cotton Tail".
6.
Ben Webster considered Johnny Hodges, an alto saxophonist in the Ellington Orchestra, a major influence on his playing.
7.
Ben Webster became close to Jimmy Blanton and Billy Strayhorn, the other two newcomers to Ellington's orbit.
8.
Ben Webster's personality proved difficult for most members of the orchestra and for Ellington.
9.
Ben Webster cried when he heard Blanton had died, but as baritone player Harry Carney recalled, "After he had a drink or two, he'd change".
10.
Ben Webster worked on 52nd Street in New York City, where he recorded frequently as a leader and sideman.
11.
The Hawkins and Ben Webster recording saw the coming together of two giants of the tenor saxophone, who had first met back in Kansas City.
12.
Ben Webster worked steadily, but in late 1964 he moved to Europe, working with other expatriate American jazz musicians and local musicians.
13.
Ben Webster played when he pleased during his last decade.
14.
Ben Webster lived in London and several locations in Scandinavia for one year, followed by three years in Amsterdam, and made his last home in Copenhagen in 1969.
15.
Ben Webster appeared as a sax player in a low-rent cabaret club in the 1970 Danish blue film titled Quiet Days in Clichy.
16.
In 1971, Ben Webster reunited with Duke Ellington and his orchestra for a couple of shows at the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen; he recorded "live" in France with Earl Hines.
17.
Ben Webster recorded or performed with Buck Clayton, Bill Coleman and Teddy Wilson.
18.
Ben Webster suffered a stroke in Amsterdam in September 1973, following a performance at the Twee Spieghels in Leiden, and died on September 20.
19.
Ben Webster used the same saxophone from 1938 until his death in 1973.
20.
Ben Webster left instructions that the horn was never to be played again.
21.
The Ben Webster Foundation was confirmed by the Queen of Denmark's Seal in 1976.
22.
The trust is a beneficial foundation which channels Webster's annual royalties to musicians in both Denmark and the US An annual Ben Webster Prize is awarded to a young outstanding musician.
23.
Webster's annual royalties are conveyed back to musicians both in Denmark and the US The Ben Webster Prize is awarded annually by vote to one outstanding young musician.