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).
Come Sunday
Ben Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, dear Lord above, God almighty,
God of love, Please look down and see my people through.
I believe that God put sun and moon up in the sky.
I don't mind the gray skies
'cause they're just clouds passing by.
Heaven is a goodness time.
A brighter light on high.
Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
And have a brighter by and by.
Lord, dear Lord above, God almighty,
God of love, Please look down and see my people through.
I believe God is now, was then and always will be.
With God's blessing we can make it through eternity.
Lord, dear Lord above, God almighty,
God of love, Please look down and see my people through.
The lyrics of Ben Webster's song 'Come Sunday' reveal a plea to God to look down and help his people endure the hardships of life. The song conveys a strong message of faith and hopefulness despite the difficulties of life. The first verse starts with a plea to God to guide and protect his people. The second verse shows the determination to have faith, no matter what the circumstances are. The lyrics emphasize the importance of treating others with respect and kindness, with the hope of receiving the same in return. The reference to a brighter tomorrow and the belief in the eternal presence of God adds to the positive message that the song conveys.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh
An exclamation expressing strong feelings
Lord, dear Lord above, God almighty,
God of love, Please look down and see my people through.
A plea to the Lord, asking for help and guidance for the singer's people
I believe that God put sun and moon up in the sky.
The singer's belief in God's power and his creation of the world
I don't mind the gray skies
'cause they're just clouds passing by.
The artist's acceptance of hardships and belief that they will pass
Heaven is a goodness time.
A brighter light on high.
The artist's belief in the goodness of heaven and its brighter light
Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
The singer's belief in the importance of treating others with kindness and respect
And have a brighter by and by.
A hope for a better future
I believe God is now, was then and always will be.
With God's blessing we can make it through eternity.
The artist's belief in God's eternal power and ability to help us through life
Lord, dear Lord above, God almighty,
God of love, Please look down and see my people through.
A repetition of the plea to the Lord for help and guidance for the artist's people
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DIZZY GILLESPIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind