Ben Webster In Norway (jazz)(mp3@320)[rogercc]

Ben Webster In Norway
Label : Storyville
Released : 2013
Format : [email protected]



Ben Webster, one of the three great tenor-saxophonists who dominated jazz before the bebop era (along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young), had a long and episodic career. In the 1930s he spent brief periods with several different big bands, making his recording debut in 1932 with Bennie Moten. During 1940-43 he found fame as a major soloist with Duke Ellington, making such songs as “Cotton Tail” and “Chelsea Bridge” famous. In the mid-1940s he was a fixture on New York’s 52nd Street, leading small combos. After a period of freelancing, in the 1950s he worked regularly for Norman Granz and his labels, recording regularly and sometimes touring with Jazz At The Philharmonic.
By the early 1960s, Webster had become overshadowed by other saxophonists and although he was still working, he was not as prominent as he deserved to be. In 1964 he settled in Europe where he was treated as a celebrity, keeping busy during the last nine years of his life.
Ben Webster In Norway is a previously unreleased club date from Mar. 17, 1970. Webster is joined by pianist Tore Sandnaes, bassist Bjorn Alterhaug and drummer Kjell Johansen. The tenor-saxophonist was rightfully happy with the rhythm section for Sandnaes takes excellent straight ahead solos that hint at times at Oscar Peterson, and Alterhaug and Johansen keep the music swinging.
The 11 songs are typical of Webster’s repertoire, with warm and sensuous treatments of ballads (including “How Long Has This Been Going On,” “Stardust” and “Danny Boy”) and some heated romps (“Sunday,’ “I Got Rhythm” and “Cotton Tail”) along with a generous number of songs from Webster’s Duke Ellington period.
Ben Webster sounds both relaxed and inspired during this excellent outing which is well recorded. In Norway is a joyful addition to Webster’s discography and will be savored by his fans.

Tracklist:
01 – In a Mellotone
02 – How Long Has This Been Going On
03 – Sunday
04 – Star Dust
05 – Perdido
06 – Satin Doll
07 – I Got Rhythm
08 – Danny Boy
09 – The C Jam Blues
10 – Cotton Tail
11 – My Romance



Personnel
Ben Webster (ts), Tore Sandnæs (p), Bjørn Alterhaug (b) and Kjell Johansen (dr)
Recorded March 17, 1970