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).
Old Folks
Ben Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the seasons, he'll come and he'll go
Just as free as a bird and as good as his word
That's why everybody loves him so
Always leaving his spoon in his coffee
Tucks his napkin up under his chin
And that yellow cow-pie is so mellow it's ripe
Every Friday he'll go fishing, down on his favorite lake
But he only hooks a perch or two, the whale got away
Looks like we warm the steak
Someday there'll be no more Old Folks
What a lonesome old town this will be
Children's voice at play, will be still for a day
The day they take the Old Folks away
The song "Old Folks" is a slow, melancholic piece that laments the passing of age and the eventual departure of elderly people from the town. The song is composed by Ben Webster, a jazz saxophonist who is best known for his mastery of the tenor saxophone. The lyrics, written by Willard Robison, are simple yet profound, capturing the essence of growing old and the deep affection that people often hold for their elderly acquaintances.
The lyrics paint a picture of an elderly man who is a regular fixture in the town, known and loved by all. They call him "Old Folks," a nickname that highlights his age and the way he is viewed by younger generations. He is described as being as free as a bird, an indication that he lives life on his own terms, without any societal constraints or expectations. The imagery of him always leaving his spoon in his coffee, tucking his napkin up under his chin, and eating a particularly ripe cow-pie conveys the idea that he is set in his ways and steadfast in his habits, but also endearingly eccentric.
The song takes a poignant turn when it contemplates the possibility of Old Folks' passing, a thought that fills the town with dread. The mere idea of his absence makes the town feel lonely and empty, as the sounds of children's laughter and play will be silenced for a day. The lyrics thus capture the immense value that elderly individuals have in communities, as they are a source of joy, wisdom, and memories, and their loss leaves a palpable void in the lives of those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone knows him as Old Folks
Old Folks is widely known in the community
Like the seasons, he'll come and he'll go
Old Folks' presence is predictable and steady
Just as free as a bird and as good as his word
Old Folks is reliable and independent
That's why everybody loves him so
Old Folks' admirable qualities make him greatly appreciated
Always leaving his spoon in his coffee
Old Folks has peculiar habits and mannerisms
Tucks his napkin up under his chin
Old Folks has a distinct way of eating
And that yellow cow-pie is so mellow it's ripe
Old Folks enjoys a type of produce that is uncommon and unusual
But you needn't be ashamed of him
Although Old Folks may be peculiar, there is no reason to feel embarrassed about him
Every Friday he'll go fishing, down on his favorite lake
Old Folks has a weekly routine of fishing on his preferred body of water
But he only hooks a perch or two, the whale got away
Old Folks is not always successful in his fishing ventures
Looks like we warm the steak
The fish that Old Folks caught will not make a substantial meal
Someday there'll be no more Old Folks
Old Folks is expected to pass away eventually
What a lonesome old town this will be
Old Folks' absence will have a significant impact on the community
Children's voice at play, will be still for a day
Even the sounds of children playing will cease for a time after Old Folks' passing
The day they take the Old Folks away
The community will experience loss and grief when Old Folks passes away
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEDETTE LEE HILL, WILLARD ROBISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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