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).
How Deep Is the Ocean?
Ben Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll tell you no lie
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?
How many times a day do I think of you?
How many roses are sprinkled with dew?
To be where you are?
How far is the journey
From here to a star?
And if I ever lost you, how much would I cry?
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?
How far would I travel
To be where you are?
How far is the journey
From here to a star?
And if I ever lost you, how much would I cry?
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?
How high is the sky?
The lyrics of "How Deep Is The Ocean?" by Ben Webster and Oscar Peterson explore the depth of love and devotion the singer feels for their significant other. The singer begins by asking how much they love their partner, to which they reply they'll tell no lies. The question of the depth of love is then compared to the vastness of the ocean and the height of the sky, emphasizing just how intense their feelings are.
The chorus delves further into the singer's thoughts, asking how many times they think of their partner every day and comparing that to the number of roses sprinkled with dew. The next verse focuses on the lengths the singer would go to be with their partner, asking how far they would travel and even comparing that journey to traveling to a star. The final lines depict the singer's fear of losing their partner and how much they would cry if that were to happen, again illustrating the vast depths of their love.
The lyrics of "How Deep Is The Ocean?" paint a vivid picture of the power and intensity of love, with the comparisons to the ocean and sky emphasizing just how deep and vast those feelings can be.
Line by Line Meaning
How much do I love you?
Inquire about the extent of love towards the other person
I'll tell you no lie
Assure the sincerity of the statement
How deep is the ocean?
Express the depth of love compared to the huge expanse of the ocean
How high is the sky?
Measure the height of love similar to the limitless sky
How many times a day do I think of you?
Show the frequency of thoughts about the other person
How many roses are sprinkled with dew?
Use a poetic way of saying there are numerous thoughts of the other person
How far would I travel
Demonstrate the willingness to go the distance for the other person
To be where you are?
Clarify the ultimate destination of the journey
How far is the journey
Ask the distance of the journey to reach the other person
From here to a star?
Create a metaphor of a long, distant journey compared to reaching a star
And if I ever lost you, how much would I cry?
Wonder the strength of the emotional pain if ever separated from the other person
How deep is the ocean?
Compare the depth of sorrow to the vast depth of the ocean
How high is the sky?
Relate the height of the suffering to the endless sky
How high is the sky?
Reinforce the question on the magnitude of the emotional pain
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rick Artdefoix
A great artist interpreting one of the best classic tunes in jazz. Fantastic Ben Webster. 🎶👍❤️🙏
Ejaye Tracey
OMG deep as it can get! His sound is perfection!
Josiah JahLion
so many beautiful ballads played by this brother
mike farmer
Great example to all tenor players on how to treat a ballad.
sattwatwentythree
Not 1957, but 1967! :) One of the most beatiful jazz sessions ever. Thanks for sharing!
Drummie Dan
It don't get much better than this!
Donna Silva
This deep cut is one of my favorites.
Martín Ferrer
My favourite version of this ballad.
jimmy3610
WOW....what a tone...jeez..Ben Webster was great.
Merrill Heatley
Wonderful, resinates into the soul.