About

A TAV Essential Listening Album.

Soulville is a 1957 album by swing tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, recording a session from October 1957 which Webster played with the Oscar Peterson Trio.

“Soulville” is quintessential Ben Webster: intimate, tender, endlessly expressive.

Webster was internationally recognized as one of jazz's elder statesman when he recorded this album in 1957, but the youthful fire that had marked his playing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra two decades earlier was undiminished.  

Leading a stellar combo through a program consisting mostly of vintage pop tunes, the great tenor saxophonist is at his peak. And this reissue includes three rare recordings of Webster on piano, the first instrument he played as a young professional musician. - Acoustic Sounds

“The by turns grizzled and vaporous-toned Webster really hit his stride on the Verve label. During a stretch from roughly 1953-1959, the Ellington alumnus showcased his supreme playing with both combos and string sections, swingers and ballads -- and lurking beneath his blustery and hulking sound were solo lines brimming with sophistication and wit. This 1957 date with the Oscar Peterson Trio is one of the highlights of that golden '50s run.” - AllMusic

Recorded in 1957.

Musicians:

• Ben Webster, tenor saxophone
• Ray Brown, bass
• Herb Ellis, guitar
• Stan Levey, drums
• Oscar Peterson, piano

 About Ben Webster:

Ben Webster (1909 – 1973), born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, is considered one of the three most important "swing tenors" along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. Known affectionately as The Brute, or Frog, he had a tough, raspy, and brutal tone on stomps (with growls), yet on ballads he played with warmth and sentiment. Stylistically he was indebted to alto star Johnny Hodges, who, he said, taught him to play his instrument. - Wiki

Features of this Analogue Productions audiophile reissue:

• Limited Edition
• Mono
• Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound
• Cut from the original analog master tapes
• 200 Gram, 45rpm 2LP
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings

 Item description: