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).
Emaline
Ben Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a lovely night, Emaline, to meander with me,
Have you told your friends,
Have you told your people, Emaline?
Hurry up and write them a line
'Bout a weddin' to be,
In the church there's an old bell ringer,
Just waitin' for the time when I place a ring around your finger,
All I do is pray for that Sunday mornin' sun to shine,
When I promenade down the line
Ben Webster's song "Emaline" is a romantic ode to a woman named Emaline. The lyrics are an invitation to her to take a walk with him on a beautiful night. He whispers to her through her window, asking if she has told her friends about their anticipated wedding. The song speaks about the bells in the church, and their desire to ring together, as he places a ring on her finger, suggesting that they are getting married. Throughout the song, Webster expresses his love for Emaline and his willingness to wait until the time is right for them to be together.
The song Emaline was written by Webster in 1940, and it is a classic Jazz standard that is still popular today. The song's captivating lyrics make it an all-time favorite, particularly among Jazz enthusiasts. The song has been interpreted by several artists, including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and even Bob Dylan, each with their style, further cementing its status as a jazz classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you hear my heart whisper thru your window, Emaline?
Can't you sense my love for you, Emaline? It's as clear as a whisper through your window.
It's a lovely night, Emaline, to meander with me,
The night is beautiful, Emaline. Would you take a walk with me and enjoy it together?
Have you told your friends,
Did you inform your friends, Emaline?
Have you told your people, Emaline?
Did you inform your family, Emaline?
Hurry up and write them a line
Write a message to your loved ones quickly,
'Bout a weddin' to be,
About the wedding that we will have soon.
In the church there's an old bell ringer,
At the church, we have an old man who rings the bell.
Just waitin' for the time when I place a ring around your finger,
He is waiting for the wonderful moment when I offer you to be mine forever.
makin' you mine,
Making you belong to me forever and ever.
All I do is pray for that Sunday mornin' sun to shine,
Every day, I hope that one Sunday morning, the sun will shine brightly for us as we commit to each other.
When I promenade down the line
When we walk down the aisle together, hand in hand.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Frank S. Perkins, Mitchell Parish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind