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).
Chelsea Bridge
Ben Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out of town were the people I knew
I had that feeling of self-pity
What to do, what to do, what to do?
The outlook was decidedly blue
But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
A foggy day, in London town
Had me low, had me down
I viewed the morning with much alarm
British museum had lost it's charm
How long I wondered
Could this thing last
But the age of miracles hadn't past
For, suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere
For, suddenly, I saw you there
And through foggy London town
The sun was shining everywhere
Everywhere
Everywhere
Everywhere
The Ben Webster's song "Chelsea Bridge" is a beautiful piece that showcases a sense of loneliness and self-reflection. The opening lyrics of the song establish the feeling of being an outsider in the city where the singer does not know anybody. He feels self-pity and doesn't know what to do, and the outlook is decidedly blue. As he walks through the foggy streets alone, he reflects on his surroundings and realizes that he is fortunate to be alive and experiencing such a new and exciting environment. The beauty of the city begins to dawn on him, and he suddenly sees everything in a new light. It is at this moment that he sees the "Chelsea Bridge" and is filled with amazement. The feeling of enlightenment is expressed in the lines "For, suddenly, I saw you there, And through foggy London town, The sun was shining everywhere."
The song is a metaphorical representation of the experience of being alone and lost in a new city. The beauty of the Chelsea Bridge is symbolic of the beauty of life that can be enjoyed when one embraces their surroundings and experiences everything with an open mind. The lyrics of the song are poetic and emotional, making it a classic piece of music that is still relevant today. It is a perfect representation of the magic that can happen when an artist expresses their emotions through music.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a stranger in the city
I didn't know anyone in the city.
Out of town were the people I knew
The people I knew were not in the city, they were out of town.
I had that feeling of self-pity
I was feeling sorry for myself.
What to do, what to do, what to do?
I didn't know what to do.
The outlook was decidedly blue
I was feeling pessimistic about my situation.
But as I walked through the foggy streets alone
I walked by myself through the foggy streets.
It turned out to be the luckiest day I've known
It ended up being an incredibly lucky day for me.
A foggy day, in London town
It was a foggy day in London.
Had me low, had me down
It made me feel sad and depressed.
I viewed the morning with much alarm
I was worried about the morning.
British museum had lost it's charm
I didn't find the British Museum interesting anymore.
How long I wondered
I wondered how long this feeling would last.
Could this thing last
I was questioning if my bad mood would continue.
But the age of miracles hadn't past
I realized that there was still hope and miracles could still happen.
For, suddenly, I saw you there
Suddenly, I saw you.
And through foggy London town
Even though it was foggy in London.
The sun was shining everywhere
It felt like the sun was shining everywhere.
Everywhere
Everywhere
Everywhere
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY STRAYHORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@clivecolledge4191
I heard Ben play this live in 1964 at Ronnie Scott’s old place. That huge sound in such a small room was magnificent. Changed my life.
@rhythmfield
A treasured memory - its great hearing it from someone who was there
@claudiopontes5191
Ben Webster one of the greatest sax tenor I've ever heard in all my life. Wonderful!👍
@donnawilcox7938
I get so tired of the trash the internet brings us, but I can't bless it enough for this kind of wonderful music. The fact that we can hear and sometimes witness the truly greats of jazz is so terrific. Thank you.
@rmoraespinto
Ben was such a master on every aspect of music playing. The air, the slurs and the tone. And the ability of playing the second part of this haunting tune without loosing the mood. I feel blessed for hearing him after so many years have passed.
@ocnoreen
One of my faves, Chelsea Bridge! You don't hear this stuff on the so-called jazz stations any longer. They are busy playing some half-playin' lotsa' notes dudes. I am able to appreciate technicality as well as the next person, but sometimes leave out a few notes!
@neilbombd
I was looking for good Ben Webster performances of Chelsea Bridge, and this is phenomenal, thank you for uploading! Strayhorn was amazing.
@jameschristiansson3137
Ben Webster and Gerry Mulligan recorded this twice in 1959, both takes worth a listen.
@ssg263
Ben Webster was simply the best ballad saxophonist. I would've loved to have heard him play ballads with Bill Evans.
@pevensielavere9451
Agreed with you 100%. :) :)