Ben Webster, a.k.a. "The Brute" or "Frog", was considered one of the three most important "swing tenors" along with Coleman Hawkins (his main influence) and Lester Young. Known affectionately as "The Brute", he had a tough, raspy, and brutal tone on stomps (with his own distinctive growls), yet on ballads he played with warmth and sentiment. Stylistically he was also indebted to alto star Johnny Hodges, who, he said, taught him to play his instrument.
Webster learned to play piano and violin at an early age, before learning to play the saxophone. Once Budd Johnson showed him some basics on the saxophone, Webster began to play that instrument in the Young Family Band (which at the time included Lester Young). Webster spent time with quite a few orchestras in the 1930s (including Andy Kirk, Fletcher Henderson in 1934, Benny Carter, Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway, and the short-lived Teddy Wilson big band).
In 1940 Ben Webster became the first major tenor soloist of Duke Ellington's orchestra. During the next three years he was on many famous recordings, including "Cotton Tail" and "All Too Soon." After three productive years of playing with Ellington, Webster left the band in an angry altercation, during which he cut up one of Ellington's suits. After leaving Ellington in 1943, Webster worked on 52nd Street in New York City; recorded frequently as both a leader and a sideman; had short periods with Raymond Scott, John Kirby, and Sid Catlett; and toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic during several seasons in the 1950s.
Webster recorded a classic set with pianist Art Tatum and generally worked steadily, but in 1964 he moved permanently to join other American jazz musicians in Copenhagen, Denmark where he played when he pleased during his last decade. Although not all that flexible, Webster could swing with the best, and his tone was a later influence on such diverse players as Archie Shepp, Lew Tabackin, Scott Hamilton, David Murray, and Bennie Wallace. In 1971 Webster reunited with Duke Ellington and his big band for a couple of shows at the Tivoli Gardens in Denmark
Ben Webster died in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in 1973 and was interred in the Assistens Kirkegård in the Nørrebro section of Copenhagen.
After Webster's death, Billy Moore Jr. created The Ben Webster Foundation, together with the trustee of Webster's estate. Since Webster's only legal heir, Harley Robinson in Los Angeles, gladly assigned his rights to the foundation, The Ben Webster Foundation was confirmed by The Queen of Denmark's Seal in 1976. In the Foundation's trust deed, one of the initial paragraphs reads: "to support the dissemination of jazz in Denmark".
It is a beneficial Foundation, which channels Webster's annual royalties to musicians, both in Denmark and the U.S. An annual Ben Webster Prize is awarded to a young outstanding musician. The prize is not large, but considered highly prestigious. Over the years, several American musicians have visited Denmark with the help of the Foundation, and concerts, a few recordings, and other jazz-related events have been supported.
Webster's private collection of jazz recordings and memorabilia is archived in the jazz collections at the University Library of Southern Denmark, Odense.
Ben Webster has a street named after him in southern Copenhagen, "Ben Websters Vej" (Ben Webster's Street).
Autumn Leaves
Ben Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all my darling
C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
Nous vivions tous deux ensemble
Toi qui m'aimais moi qui t'aimais
Mais la vie separe ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable les pas des amants desunis
The lyrics of Ben Webster's song Autumn Leaves talk about the beauty of autumn and its corresponding feelings of nostalgia and loneliness. The falling leaves serve as a metaphor for the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The singer reminisces about a past love and the warmth of their summer kisses and sun-burned hands. The arrival of autumn reminds the singer of their beloved, and they miss them the most during this time.
The second half of the song is in French and it talks about how the song connects to the singer's experience of love and loss. The singer and their beloved used to be together, but life separated them slowly and quietly. The sea washes away the footprints of the lovers who are now apart, adding to the sense of impermanence and nostalgia.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of love and how the changing seasons can bring back memories and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
The falling leaves drift by the window
The leaves that fall down sway near the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
The falling leaves in autumn have shades of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
I vividly remember kissing you passionately during the summer
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
I reminisce the warmth of your sunburnt hands that I held tightly
Since you went away the days grow long
The days have become monotonous and seemingly never-ending since you left
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
The winter season, full of coldness and melancholy, is approaching soon
But I miss you most of all my darling
I long for you more than anything else, my beloved
When autumn leaves start to fall
I feel most nostalgic and reminiscent of our times together, when the autumn leaves fall
C'est une chanson, qui nous ressemble
This is a song that reflects our past relationship
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
You loved me and I loved you
Nous vivions tous deux ensemble
We used to live together, just us two
Toi qui m'aimais moi qui t'aimais
You loved me as much as I did you
Mais la vie separe ceux qui s'aiment
Unfortunately, life separates those who love each other
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
Slowly and silently
Et la mer efface sur le sable les pas des amants desunis
And the sea erases the footsteps of separated lovers on the sand
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@derycktrahair8108
He has his own sound & swings like mad. Thank you. This is Great.
@SELMER1947
More music in three notes by Ben Webster than 1000 notes by currents tenors
@rubengreenberg2253
I knew Ben Webster well when I was a teenager in Amsterdam. The man was a complete enigma to me then (not an easy character, to say the least), but my admiration for his playing has remained unconditional my whole life long. There is his sound, his phrasing but also his incredible sense of form.
@philpryor7524
More top level playing on a great song of deep and mixed feelings, by the masterly Ben and his dear friends. It's the happiest way to feel a little sad, thoughtful, remorseful.
@janberings7743
Well said. Y'r a poet! Gr from the Netherlands
@umbertodigrazia9031
il grande BEN WEBSTER esprime il romanticismo del jazz questo brano dovrebbe essere considerato uno dei migliori
@user-yb1rt4oy2g
自分のプレイに触発されて盛り上がっていく❗と、私には思える。ベンの音、間、Heart、全て素晴らしい‼️目の前で聴きたかった‼️chi
@manelmontoliubargallo8699
Magistral Ben Webster!
@lastknowngood0
Big Ben, AKA THE BRUTE was an important Jazz Figure that used to march in unison with Pres, Ben in his Trilby, Pres in his Pork Pie, ax's at right shoulder Tenor's looking for an after hour Jam. Back in KC! YEAH! They were among the very best! Rest Easy Cats! <3
@masika1551
ウェブスターならではの渋い枯葉、最高ですね!ドリュートリオのサポートも良いですね!