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).
Stormy Weather
Ben Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stormy weather, since my man and I ain't together
Keeps raining all the time
Life is bare, gloom and misery everywhere
Stormy weather, just can't get my poor old self together
I'm weary all the time, the time, so weary all of the time
If he stays away, old rocking chair will get me
All I do is pray, the lord above will let me
walk in the sun once more
Can't go on, everything I had is gone
Stormy weather, since my man and I ain't together
Keeps raining all the time
Keeps raining all of the time
I walk around heavy-hearted and sad
Night comes around and I'm still feeling bad
Rain pourin' down, blinding every hope I had
This pitter andd n patter and beating, spattering driving me mad
Love, love, love, love, the misery will be the end of me
When he went away, the blues walked in and met me
If he stays away, old rocking chair will get me
All I do is pray, the lord above will let me
Walk in the sun once more
Can't go on, everything I had is gone
Stormy weather, since my man and I ain't together
Keeps raining all the time, the time
Keeps raining all the time
The song "Stormy Weather" by Ben Webster is a melancholic and emotional ballad that vividly portrays the sorrow and desolation that comes with heartbreak. The opening lines "Don't know why, there's no sun up in the sky, stormy weather" set the tone for the entire song and present the metaphorical darkness that has descended upon the singer's life since her man left. She feels weary all the time and unable to find joy or happiness, as the rain continues to pour down without cease. The absence of her lover has left her feeling alone and lost, with no hope for the future.
In the second verse, the singer presents the idea that the misery of her heartbreak will be her undoing. She cannot escape the haunting memories of when her man was with her, and the blues have come to replace the happiness that once existed in her life. The repetition of "If he stays away, old rocking chair will get me" emphasizes the loneliness she feels in his absence and how she cannot fathom continuing without him. The bridge offers a glimmer of hope that the singer may someday feel the warmth of the sun again and be able to move forward. However, the final lines ominously repeat that "Keeps raining all the time" bringing the listener back to the beginning, and reinforcing the cycle of despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know why, there's no sun up in the sky
I can't explain why the sky is gloomy and sunless
Stormy weather, since my man and I ain't together
I associate this stormy weather with the pain of losing my man
Keeps raining all the time
The rain continues to fall relentlessly
Life is bare, gloom and misery everywhere
My life is empty and everywhere I look there is sadness and sorrow
Stormy weather, just can't get my poor old self together
The stormy weather is a reflection of my inner turmoil and I can't seem to pull myself together
I'm weary all the time, the time, so weary all of the time
I am exhausted and tired all the time, without any reprieve
When he went away, the blues walked in and met me
My man's departure brought on a profound sadness and depression
If he stays away, old rocking chair will get me
Without my man, I fear loneliness and isolation will consume me
All I do is pray, the lord above will let me walk in the sun once more
I hold onto hope and pray for a brighter future, one with happiness and light
Can't go on, everything I had is gone
I can't bear the weight of my losses, it feels like everything I held dear is gone
This pitter and natter and beating, spattering driving me mad
The sound of the rain, with its constant tapping and splattering, is driving me insane
Love, love, love, love, the misery will be the end of me
The pain of losing the one I loved so dearly will be the death of me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, CTM Publishing
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@debojyotipanda938
In this world of turmoil and disquiet, Ben Webster's music is a shelter that feels both warm and cool at the same time.
@ferreiraronald7873
Ben Webster was a great saxophonist and jazz musician. Luckly to have Youtube to be able to listen to these great musicians of the the 40s/50s/60s. Thanks for the posting.
@derrickclark7392
The intro on piano is everything 🔥🔥🔥
@gigliolaspaziano7190
💖 adorable!
@dalilatorres7467
ES UN VERDADERO PLACER ESCUCHAR MI TEMA, MI CANCION DE JAZZ FAVORITA,EN SAXO TENOR;QUE ES IGUAL iINTERPRETACIÓN ;COMO LO HACIA: JULIO TORRES, MI PADRE ; CON SU MARAVILLOSO SAXO, INSTRUMENTO TRAIDO DE CHICAGO, QUE LE DIÓ MUCHAS SATISFACCIONES A LO LARGO DE SU VIDA ARTISTICA DE MÚSICO DE JAZZ EN ARGENTINA, FUE UNO DE LOS IMPULSORES DE ESTE GÉNERO MUSICAL EN ARGENTINA EN LOS AÑOS 1940."TIEMPO TORMENTOSO" ;MI TEMA FAVORITO .
@gabrielleauguste5946
Ces musiciens , ont choisi la plus belle méthode pour exprimer leur intelligence. De plus on ne cesse d'apprécier cette merveilleuse musique.Tres très profonde.Je sais qu'il y a des fans et des connaisseurs .Je leurs dis ,**Bravo , bravo , bravo **💞💞💞💞💞😘❤💗💖💡💡💡🐦🐦🐦🐦💥💥💥🌟⭐🌠😉🙋🙋🙋🌞💛💕💕💕💕😉
@jangunnarolsen5946
Those were the days (as Dexter Gordon would have said) Montmartre in the 60's. Had the GREAT pleasure to be there myself at that time. Will never forget Kenny Drew, Niels Henning and Alex Riel among others. Just GREAT musicans!
@rolfwiessler8199
Jan Gunnar Olsen k
@rickartdefoix1298
These Webster last albums, the ones of his years living in Denmark, from 68 to his death, count among the best he recorded. With some great classics in, as in this case, Stormy Weather, a tune I love. His sound, with the Stan Getz one, are my prefered ones in jazz saxos. And the trios my favourite team for this music. A quartet as much. 🎶👍❤️🙏
@hannejeppesen2887
If I'm not incorrect Ben Webster lived in Holland, but played in Denmark, especially Montmatre fairly often. I was born and raised in Denmark, 30 miles south of Copenhagen, use to visit Montmatre fairly often from 1964 to 1966, when I immigrated to the US. Even visited one time when I was home on a visit, probably late sixties or early seventies. Never did see Ben Webster live, but saw Dexter Gordon quite often. Pure heaven if you love jazz.