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).
Makin' Whoopee
Ben Webster Lyrics
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Another sunny honeymoon
Another season, another reason
For makin' whoopee
A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
The groom is nervous; he answers twice
It's really killin'
Picture a little love nest
Down where the roses cling
Picture the same sweet love nest
Think what a year can bring
He's washin' dishes and baby clothes
He's so ambitious he even sews
But don't forget, folks
That's what you get, folks, for makin' whoopee
Another year or maybe less
What's this I hear? Well, you can't confess
She feels neglected, and he's suspected
Of makin' whoopee
She sits alone 'most every night
He doesn't phone her; he doesn't write
He says he's busy, but she says, "Is he?"
He's makin' whoopee
He doesn't make much money
Only five thousand per
Some judge who thinks he's funny
Says, "You'll pay six to her"
He says, "Now, Judge, suppose I fail?"
The judge says, "Budge right into jail"
You'd better keep her; I think it's cheaper
Than makin' whoopee
You'd better keep her
I know it's cheaper
Than makin' whoopee
The song "Makin' Whoopee," composed by Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson, is a story of love and marriage. The opening lines describe the wedding ceremony of "another bride, another June," and the honeymoon that follows. The cycle of love and marriage continues with "another season, another reason for makin' whoopee." The song’s lyrics claim that marriage leads to love, and soon after the wedding, the couple makes "whoopee."
The song depicts the cinematic image of "a little love nest down where the roses cling" and the changes that the union will bring. The husband is still a newlywed, who wants to please his wife, even though they have limited means. He does the household chores, washes the dishes, and sews the baby's clothes. However, the tune warns the listeners about the consequences of making whoopee.
As the song progresses, the lyrics take a dramatic shift. The narrative reveals that after a year or so, the husband starts to neglect his wife. The wife becomes suspicious of him, wondering whether he is "makin' whoopee" with someone else. The song then takes a turn, as the judge orders the husband to pay the wife more money than he earns. The husband protests, but the judge threatens him with imprisonment. In a line of caution, the song advises the husband, "You'd better keep her because it's cheaper than making whoopee."
Line by Line Meaning
Another bride, another June
It's the same old story, another wedding in June
Another sunny honeymoon
It's predictable, sunny weather for the honeymoon
Another season, another reason
It's just another season, and no need for a specific reason to make whoopee
For makin' whoopee
That's what it's all about, making whoopee
A lot of shoes, a lot of rice
Traditional wedding shoes and throwing of rice
The groom is nervous; he answers twice
The groom is anxious and repeats his vows
It's really killin'
He finds it difficult
That he's so willin' to make whoopee
To look forward to intimacy is not easy
Picture a little love nest
Imagine a home for the couple
Down where the roses cling
Where the roses are planted around the house
Think what a year can bring
Reflect on how the relationship can evolve in a year
He's washin' dishes and baby clothes
He does chores, including laundry
He's so ambitious he even sews
He's willing to go the extra mile and sews
But don't forget, folks
Keep in mind
That's what you get, folks, for makin' whoopee
This is what happens when you rush into marriage and intimacy
Another year or maybe less
Already a year or barely a year
What's this I hear? Well, you can't confess
There's some rumor or suspicion, but the truth is not admitted
She feels neglected, and he's suspected
She feels ignored, and he's expected to be unfaithful
Of makin' whoopee
It's what got them into this in the first place
She sits alone 'most every night
She's lonely and left alone many nights
He doesn't phone her; he doesn't write
He doesn't communicate
He says he's busy, but she says, "Is he?"
He gives an excuse, but she doesn't entirely believe it
He's makin' whoopee
He's being unfaithful
He doesn't make much money
He's not wealthy
Only five thousand per
He earns only $5,000 per year
Some judge who thinks he's funny
A judge who's trying to be witty
Says, "You'll pay six to her"
Orders the man to pay even more in alimony
He says, "Now, Judge, suppose I fail?"
The man asks what happens if he can't pay
The judge says, "Budge right into jail"
The judge will send him to jail
You'd better keep her; I think it's cheaper
The judge advises him to keep his wife as it's more economical
Than makin' whoopee
Than getting another wife and starting over again
Lyrics © DistroKid, DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO, TOBAGO MUSIC COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind