About

“When Ben Webster left the United States for Europe in 1964, he took with him a legacy of great music that he recorded with Duke Ellington, Art Tatum (Art Tatum and Ben Webster Quartet) and Coleman Hawkins (Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster). The swing tenor saxophonist, who cut his chops playing with some legendary orchestras of the day including Benny Carter and Cab Calloway, also spent some significant time as Ellington’s major tenor soloist.

Stormy Weather was recorded live on January 30th, 1965, at the Montmartre Jazzhus in Copenhagen and it would prove to be one of the finest live sets of his career. Webster had assembled a rhythm section for the evening consisting of American pianist, Kenny Drew, Danish drummer, Alex Riel, and fresh out of diapers bassist, Nils-Henning Ørsted Pederson.

The fifty-five minute set consists mostly of covers and a few original compositions including “Our Love Is Here to Stay,” “Mack the Knife,” and Miles Davis’ “The Theme.” Where Webster stands alone is how his playing just seems to float above the other members of the band and how each note just explodes and fades away into the smoke-filled air. His tone is unmistakable; each note sending shivers down your spine and causing your heart to race. Webster’s European recordings don’t offer the bite of his earlier work where he played with more piss and vigor but Stormy Weather is utterly entrancing and should have you downing that last swig of Glenrothes and dreaming of that Danish babysitter you had as a kid.” - New Record Day

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

Tracklist:

Item description: