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).
Pennies from Heaven
Ben Webster Lyrics
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Don't you know each cloud contains pennies from heaven?
You'll find your fortune's fallin' all over the town
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
If you want the things you love, you must have showers
So, when you hear it thunder, don't run under a tree
Every time, every time it rains, it's gonna rain pennies from heaven
Don't you know every cloud contains lots of pennies from heaven
You'll find your fortune's fallin', baby, all over the town
Be sure, be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
If you want the things you love, you've got to have showers
So, when you hear it thunder, don't run under a tree
There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me
The lyrics of Ben Webster's "Pennies from Heaven" paint a picture of hope and optimism amidst the tough times we may face in our daily lives. The metaphor of "pennies from heaven" implies that good things may come unexpectedly, like rain, and that we should be open to receiving them. The first two lines of the song establish this metaphor, stating that every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven, and that every cloud contains these pennies.
The song then proclaims that one can find their fortune falling "all over town," implying that these blessings can come from anywhere and not just the obvious places. The line "be sure that your umbrella is upside down" suggests that we should be ready to receive good fortune, in the same way that one would turn their umbrella upside down to catch the rain.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven
Whenever it rains, life gives you a chance to make money and be happy.
Don't you know each cloud contains pennies from heaven?
Whenever there is rain, there is an opportunity to better your life.
You'll find your fortune's fallin' all over the town
The opportunity to make money is abundant during a rainy day.
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Make sure you are ready to catch every opportunity that comes your way.
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
Use the money you make to buy the things that make you happy and content.
If you want the things you love, you must have showers
If you want a better life, you have to go through tough times to get there.
So, when you hear it thunder, don't run under a tree
Don't avoid the challenges that come with life, grab them and make something of them.
There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me
Everyone has the chance to make their life better, all they have to do is be open to the opportunities that come their way.
Lyrics © Cloud9
Written by: Arthur Johnston, Johnny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind