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 Long Has This Been Going On?
Ben Webster Lyrics
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I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
So my dear I swore,
"Never, never more !"
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my! How I lost out!
I could cry salty tears,
Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now:
How long has this been going on?
There were chills up my spine,
And some thrills I can't define.
Listen, sweet, I repeat:
How long has this been going on?
Oh, I feel that I could melt,
Into Heaven I'm hurled!
I know how Columbus felt,
Finding another world.
Kiss me once, then once more.
What a dunce I was before.
What a break! For Heaven's sake!
How long has this been going on?
Dear, when in your arms I creep,
That divine rendezvous,
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep,
Let me dream that it's true!
Kiss me twice, then once more.
That makes thrice, let's make it four!
What a break! For Heaven's sake!
How long has this been going on?
How long has this, been going on?
This song is about a person who has been avoiding romantic relationships, including kissing, because of past negative experiences. The lyrics recount how, as a child, the person was forced to endure unwanted kisses from various family members, leading to a deep aversion to physical touch. However, as an adult, the person realizes they have been missing out on something wonderful and begins to long for the intimacy of a kiss. The song expresses the joy and excitement of this newfound desire and the hope that it can be fulfilled.
The lyrics are full of metaphors that convey the intensity of the person's feelings. References to Dante's inferno and Columbus's discoveries speak to the transformative power of love, suggesting that the experience of kissing someone could be both exhilarating and terrifying. The repeated question of "How long has this been going on?" expresses the shock of discovering something new and unexpected after years of avoiding it, and the longing for more of that feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties,
As a child, when I ran around in fancy clothes,
I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
My family members would all dote on me with affection.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
Unfortunately, this attention felt overwhelming and uncomfortable, like a fiery punishment from the depths of Hell itself.
So my dear I swore,
As a result, I made a vow,
"Never, never more !"
"Never again will I let myself receive such unwanted affection!"
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
I even made a list of what I would avoid, and kissing was at the top.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my! How I lost out!
But now, looking back, I realize how foolish I was to reject such a wonderful expression of love and how much I have missed out on.
I could cry salty tears,
This realization fills me with great emotion,
Where have I been all these years?
I can't believe I have gone so long without truly experiencing this affection.
Little wow, tell me now:
I am in awe of this feeling, won't you explain it to me?
How long has this been going on?
How long has this amazing feeling been around without me noticing?
There were chills up my spine,
The feeling of affection is so powerful,
And some thrills I can't define.
I can't fully grasp the intensity of it all.
Listen, sweet, I repeat:
I want to share this with you, my dear,
How long has this been going on?
I still can't believe I have gone so long without feeling this way.
Oh, I feel that I could melt,
This feeling is so overwhelming,
Into Heaven I'm hurled!
It's like being transported straight to paradise!
I know how Columbus felt,
I feel like a great explorer who has just discovered something incredible,
Finding another world.
Like I have discovered a whole new world of emotions.
Kiss me once, then once more.
I want to experience this affection again and again,
What a dunce I was before.
I can't believe I used to reject this feeling as a foolish child.
What a break! For Heaven's sake!
What a wonderful turn of events! It's like a miracle from above!
How long has this been going on?
I am still in disbelief that I have gone so long without noticing this amazing feeling.
Dear, when in your arms I creep,
When I am embraced by you, my dear,
That divine rendezvous,
It feels like a meeting of heaven and earth,
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep,
Please don't disturb me, even if I am dreaming,
Let me dream that it's true!
I want to hold onto this feeling for as long as possible, even in my sleep!
Kiss me twice, then once more.
I want to experience this affection again and again, in a never-ending cycle,
That makes thrice, let's make it four!
I want to keep this feeling going for as long as possible, four times just isn't enough!
How long has this been going on?
I am still astounded that I let myself go so long without experiencing this wonderful affection.
How long has this, been going on?
How long has this amazing feeling been happening, without me being a part of it?
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clyde Lamont
Ben is Master of the smooth. For real! His sultry hooks and his cool phrasing take me on the Jazz Journey that I seek. Everyone from the era sought him out to play with them. He is definitely in a class of his own. He wasn't shucking and jiving.
Marta Rodriguez
🎶😻😍🐾✌
Stantawn Kendrick
no one should even think about or imagine even accidentally hitting the dislike button
Julie Holtzman
oh, that SOUND.......!
ghairraigh
+Julie Holtzman
Hi, Julie!
- Malcolm MacDonald.
Reef "The Watcher"
"Frog" "The Brute" I love his record with art tatum!
George Prosser
How long Has This Been Going On ? Ben Webster t.s. Kenny Drew p.
Anouman
what year?