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).
In A Mellow
Ben Webster Lyrics
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Feeling fancy free
And I'm not alone
I've got company
Everything's OK
The live long day
With this mellow song
In a mellow tone
That's the way to live
If you mope and groan
Something's gotta give
Just go your way
And laugh and play
There's joy unknown
In a mellow tone
In a mellow tone
In a mellow tone
Feeling fancy free
And I'm not alone
I've got company
Everything's OK
The live long day
With this mellow song
I can't go wrong
In a mellow tone
That's the way to live
If you mope and groan
Something's gotta give
Just go your way
And laugh and play
There's joy unknown
In a mellow tone
In a mellow tone
In a mellow tone
The lyrics to "In a Mellow Tone" convey a sense of relaxation and contentment with life. The singer is feeling "fancy free" and is not alone, as they have company to share in their mellow mood. The overall tone of the song is one of positivity and happiness, as the singer declares that everything is okay and the live long day can be enjoyed in a state of mellowness. With this mellow song, the singer can't go wrong, indicating that the music itself is able to transport them to a peaceful state of mind.
The song encourages listeners to adopt a mellow attitude towards life, rather than moping and groaning. The singer advises listeners to simply go their own way, laugh and play, and enjoy the unknown joy that comes with a mellow tone. The song emphasizes the idea that life can be enjoyed in a relaxed state, and that this state of mind can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
In a mellow tone
Living life in a state of relaxation and peace
Feeling fancy free
Feeling carefree and unencumbered by stress or worry
And I'm not alone
In the company of others who share this same state of mind
I've got company
Being surrounded by kindred spirits who also appreciate the beauty of living in a mellow tone
Everything's okay
Enjoying a sense of contentment and peace with the world around you
The live long day
Throughout every moment of your existence
With this mellow song
This music is a reminder of the peaceful state of being that one can achieve
I can't go wrong
No matter what happens in life, the knowledge of this mellow tone is enough to keep you feeling centered and at ease
That's the way to live
A reminder that it is possible to live life in a carefree, laid-back manner
If you mope and groan
If you choose to focus on negative thoughts instead of embracing a positive outlook
Something's gotta give
Holding onto negative thoughts for too long will eventually take a toll on your mental and emotional wellbeing
Just go your way
Be true to yourself and do what makes you happy, free of worry or concern for others' opinions
And laugh and play
Embrace the lighthearted side of life and enjoy yourself whenever possible
There's joy unknown
By allowing yourself to let go of stress and enjoy life, you may discover true joy that you were previously unaware of
In a mellow tone
Repeating the chorus as a reminder of the beauty of living in a relaxed, peaceful state
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind