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).
Willow Weep for Me
Ben Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Willow weep for me
Bend your branches green along the stream that runs to sea
Listen to my plea
Listen willow and weep for me
Yes, gone my lovers dream
Lovely summer dream
Sad as I can be
Hear me willow and weep for me
[Chorus:]
Oh, whisper to the wind and say that love's a sin
Leave my heart a-breaking, and making a moan
Murmur to the night to hide her starry light
So none will find me sighing, crying all alone
Oh, willow weep tree
Weeping sympathy
Bend your branches down along the ground and cover me
When the shadows fall, bend over willow and weep for me
[Chorus]
Yes, willow weep tree
Weeping sympathy
Bend your branches down along the ground and cover me
When the shadows fall, bend over willow and weep for me
Yes
The song "Willow Weep for Me" by Ben Webster is a melancholic ballad that depicts the pain of unrequited love. The singer of the song is asking the willow tree to weep for them as they share their sorrowful tale. The willow tree, often associated with mourning and sorrow, is the perfect symbol for the singer's heartbroken state. The lyrics of the song are simple but convey the emotions of the singer effectively. The line "Oh, whisper to the wind and say that love's a sin" particularly emphasizes the bitterness and disillusionment that the singer is experiencing. The use of personification, where the singer speaks directly to the willow tree, creates an intimate and emotional connection between the singer, the tree, and the audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, willow weep for me
I'm in need of comfort, so please empathize and show sympathy by weeping with me, willow tree
Willow weep for me
Please don't hold back your tears, willow tree
Bend your branches green along the stream that runs to sea
Let your branches reach towards the water and bend down, willow tree
Listen to my plea
Pay attention to my suffering and take pity on me, willow tree
Listen willow and weep for me
Please listen to me and weep in sympathy, willow tree
Yes, gone my lover's dream
My lover has left me and the dream of being together has faded away
Lovely summer dream
The previous love was beautiful and passionate, reminds of summer
Gone and left me here to weep my tears into the stream
Now I'm left alone to cry and mourn, and my tears will flow into the stream
Sad as I can be
I'm extremely sad right now
Hear me willow and weep for me
Please hear me and feel my pain, and weep with me, willow tree
Oh, whisper to the wind and say that love's a sin
Addressing the wind, recognize and admit the harsh truth that love can cause pain and suffering
Leave my heart a-breaking, and making a moan
Let my heart break and cry out, as it's currently doing
Murmur to the night to hide her starry light
Speak softly to the night and ask it to conceal its bright stars, as they remind me of what I've lost in love
So none will find me sighing, crying all alone
I don't want anyone to see me in my vulnerable state, sighing and crying by myself
Oh, willow weep tree
Once again, asking the willow tree to weep in sympathy
Weeping sympathy
Let your tears be a sign of your empathetic understanding
Bend your branches down along the ground and cover me
Protect me and give me shelter by lowering your branches over me, willow tree
When the shadows fall, bend over willow and weep for me
Especially as darkness and loneliness set in, continue to weep with me and provide your comforting presence, willow tree
Yes
Affirming the previous request and plea for empathy and comfort from the willow tree
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ann Ronell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shoeaddict666
Beautiful, just heard it on Jazz FM for first time. Perfect accompaniment to relaxing before sleep with the lights low. Love his sax playing. thank you so much for uploading. what a gem.