Johnny Hodges Septet Featuring Ben Webster Blues aplenty Liner Notes
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Exact matches: 36
1
Dexter Gordon/
Storyville/
Never-issued work from these two tenor titans – all recorded in Copenhagen, where both musicians found a welcoming home in the later years of their lives! The album presents Gordon solo on two numbers first – one a long quartet track with pianist Thomas Clausen, then with the larger Danish Radio Jazz Group, directed by trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg. Then the set moves on to a track that has Webster workihg with Clausen – before the record then moves into especially nice work that features both tenorists together, either in a Clausen group, or working with pianist Kenny Drew! All tracks follow strongly in that mature, expressive mode the Storville label allowed both musicians – especially Gordon – and titles include "Sticky Wicket", "Our Love Is Here To Stay", "Perdido", "C-Jam Blues", and "Do Nothin Till You Hear From Me".
2
Coleman Hawkins & Ben Webster — Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster (with bonus tracks) ... CD
Verve, 1957. Used ... $7.99
A classic set in the best Verve Records mode – as these two mature giants of the tenor sax get lots of room to open up and solo with a great rhythm section at the core! Both Hawkins and Webster have a fantastic sense of tone and timing – and the space of the record really lets you hear the charms of both in equal measure – with backing from Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Alvin Stoller on drums. The best tracks have lots of room – plenty of space so that the tenors aren't "encountering" each other in too close of quarters, with space to express themselves freely – and titles include "Blues For Yolande", "Rosita", "Shine On Harvest Moon", and "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To".
(Out of print, Verve master edition in a tri-fold digipack.)
3
Gerry Mulligan & Ben Webster — Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster ... LP 
Verve, 1959. Near Mint- ... $33.99
Gerry Mulligan always sounds great next to a tenor – especially in the Verve series that has him teamed up with players like Johnny Hodges, Paul Desmond, or Stan Getz. This release, cut with Ben Webster upfront, is one of the best of that series – and features the pair blowing easily and soulfully on some long tracks with rhythm by Jimmy Rowles, Leroy Vinnegar, and Mel Lewis. Titles include "Go Home", "The Cat Walk", "Sunday", "Who's Got Rhythm", and "Tell Me When".
(Early 80s Japanese Polydor pressing – UMV 3093 – with obi and insert.)
6
Ben Webster — Ben Op Zijn Best ... LP
West Side (Netherlands), 1970. Very Good+ ... $29.99
An unusual overseas date from late in the career of tenor genius Ben Webster – a set recorded in the Netherlands, with a very hip group – Ray Kaart on trumpet, Herman Schoonderwalt on alto, Rudy Brink on second tenor, Cees Slinger on piano, Rob Langereis on bass, and John Engels on drums. Titles include "Ben's Little Scheme", "Steff's Shoes", "Billy Boy", and "Greensleeves".
(Cover has light wear, and a small mark from an old sticker – but vinyl is nice.)
7
Ben Webster — Ben Webster ... LP
Musica Jazz (Italy), Mid 30s/
A career spanning collection of recordings by Ben Webster, from early work in the 30s with the groups of Fletcher Henderson and Willie Bryant; in the 40s with Rex Stewart, Jack Teagarden, Duke Ellington, James P Johnson, Walter Thomas, Sidney Catlett, Pete Johnson, and Benny Carter; and two late 60s selections with his quartet.
(Late 80s issue.)
8
Ben Webster — Big Ben Time ... LP
Fontana (UK), 1968. Very Good ... $19.99
Great late work from the mighty Ben Webster – a set recorded overseas in London – with Dick Katz on piano, Spike Heatley on bass, and Tony Crombie on drums. Tracks are short and lively, and that amazing Ben Webster tone is alive and well – on titles that include "The Jeep Is Jumpin", "Where Or When", "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams", "Solitude", and "Exactly Like You".
(UK pressing, in a flipback cover! Spine has some light wear, but this is a nice clean copy overall.23)
9
Ben Webster — Blow Ben Blow ... LP
Catfish (Netherlands), 1969. Very Good+ ... $28.99
A rare Dutch date from Ben Webster – with piano from Kenny Drew! Tracks are nice and long – and titles include "The Preacher", "Work Song", "Straight No Chaser", and "John Brown's Body".
(Great original pressing – with cool all-black cardboard, and silver printing. Cover has a light mark from an old sticker, but is nice overall.)
10
Ben Webster — Duke's In Bed! ... LP
Black Lion (UK), 1965. Very Good+ ... $7.99
Features Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, Kenny Drew on Piano, and Hans Hymand on drums.
(Orange label US pressing with a square image. Cover has light wear, a cut corner and partially split top seam.)
11
Ben Webster — Jazz Masters 43 ... CD
Verve, 1950s. Used ... $0.99
Features work by Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Gerry Mulligan, Oscar Peterson, and Coleman Hawkins. Tracks include "Meet The Frog", "That's All", "De Dar", "Pennies From Heaven", and "You're Mine, You!".
(Out of print.)
12
Ben Webster — Live At Pio's ... LP
Enja, Early 70s. Sealed ... $18.99
A great small club date from Ben Webster – different than some of his European concerts of his final years, in that this one was done at a lounge in Rhode Island, and maybe has a bit more bite and focus overall! The tracks are short, and Webster gets superb rhythm accompaniment from the trio of Junior Mance on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Mickey Roker on drums – who really come out swinging, and push Ben to take some of his boldest solos of the period – plenty of bite throughout, and a fire that you don't always hear on his other 60s recordings. Titles include "Cookin For T", "Sunday", "Pennies From Heaven", "How Long Has This Been Going On", and "Gone With The Wind".
(70s American pressing, sealed!)
Also available Live At Pio's (180 gram pressing) ... LP 39.99
13
Ben Webster — Live At Pio's (180 gram pressing) ... LP
Enja/
A great small club date from Ben Webster – different than some of his European concerts of his final years, in that this one was done at a lounge in Rhode Island, and maybe has a bit more bite and focus overall! The tracks are short, and Webster gets superb rhythm accompaniment from the trio of Junior Mance on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Mickey Roker on drums – who really come out swinging, and push Ben to take some of his boldest solos of the period – plenty of bite throughout, and a fire that you don't always hear on his other 60s recordings. Titles include "Cookin For T", "Sunday", "Pennies From Heaven", "How Long Has This Been Going On", and "Gone With The Wind".
(Limited edition 180 gram pressing – first time on vinyl!)
Also available Live At Pio's ... LP 18.99
14
Ben Webster — My Man – Live At Montmartre 1973 (Steeplechase) ... LP
Steeplechase (Denmark), 1973. Near Mint- ... $19.99
With Ole Kock Hansen on piano, Bo Stief on bass, and Alex Riel on drums. Titles include "Set Call", "Old Folks", "I Got Rhythm", and "Sunday".
(Cover has light wear at the bottom right corner and a lightly bent corner.)
15
Ben Webster — See You At The Fair ... CD
Impulse, 1964. Used ... $6.99
A great little album from Ben Webster – perhaps not his most sophisticated, jazz-wise, but done up in a cool cover that has him standing in front of the steel globe at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. The music on the disc has a similar optimistic approach – as Ben solos lightly over rhythms by either Hank Jones or Roger Kellaway on piano (and a bit of harpsichord), plus bass and drums backing by Richard Davis and Osie Johnson. The album's got a great rolling soul jazz number called "See You At The Fair", and a very odd crashing harpsichord number called "Lullaby Of Jazzland" – plus the tunes "Fall Of Love", "While We're Dancing", and "Our Love Is Here To Stay".
(Out of print, punch through barcode.)
16
Ben Webster & Don Byas — Ben Webster Meets Don Byas (US pressing) ... LP
MPS, 1969. Sealed ... $13.99
Late work by Webster and Byas – playing here with backing by a European rhythm section that includes Tete Montoliu on piano and Peter Trunk on bass, plus American Albert Heath on drums. The tracks are mostly long and open – with the main focus on letting the two tenor giants solo as much as possible. Tracks include "Caravan", "Sundae", "Blues For Dottie Mae", and "Perdido".
(70s US pressing – still sealed, but shrinkwrap is open a bit on the spine.)
17
Ben Webster & Oscar Peterson — Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson ... LP
Verve, 1959. Near Mint- ... $16.99
Beautifully laidback blowing from the great Ben Webster – captured here in perfect late 50s formation, with wonderful rhythm support from the Oscar Peterson Trio! The tunes aren't super-long, but still have a relatively open feel – possibly improvised in the studio, with a mellow but deeply soulful sound throughout, thanks to Webster's massive tone on the tenor sax. Peterson's on piano, and other players include Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums – and titles include "The Touch Of Your Lips", "When Your Lover Has Gone", "Bye Bye Blackbird", "How Deep Is The Ocean", "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning", "Sunday", and "This Can't Be Love".
(180 gram Jazz Wax reissue.)
18
Ben Webster & Stan Tracey — Soho Nights Vol 1 ... CD
Ten To Ten (UK), 1968. Used ... $9.99
Ben Webster's got some hip company here – a British rhythm section that features Stan Tracey on piano, Dave Green on bass, and Tony Crombie on drums – all of whom provide some great support on this late 60s live date! As with Webster in these later years, there's a wonderful sense of tone that dominates the record – echoes of earlier years at points, but a new humanity that creeps in and really grabs us – a deeply personal style that sparkles especially strongly on the ballads, and even hits a few more modern moments at points. Tracks are shortish – mostly around the 4 or 5 minute mark – so Webster keeps his solos nicely compact – and titles include "What Am I Here For", "Sunday", "Come Sunday", "Johnny Come Lately", "In A Mellotone", "For All We Know", and "The Jeep Is Jumpin".
Also available Soho Nights Vol 1 ... CD 12.99
19
Ben Webster & Stan Tracey — Soho Nights Vol 1 ... CD
Ten To Ten (UK), 1968. New Copy ... $12.99 19.99
Ben Webster's got some hip company here – a British rhythm section that features Stan Tracey on piano, Dave Green on bass, and Tony Crombie on drums – all of whom provide some great support on this late 60s live date! As with Webster in these later years, there's a wonderful sense of tone that dominates the record – echoes of earlier years at points, but a new humanity that creeps in and really grabs us – a deeply personal style that sparkles especially strongly on the ballads, and even hits a few more modern moments at points. Tracks are shortish – mostly around the 4 or 5 minute mark – so Webster keeps his solos nicely compact – and titles include "What Am I Here For", "Sunday", "Come Sunday", "Johnny Come Lately", "In A Mellotone", "For All We Know", and "The Jeep Is Jumpin".
Also available Soho Nights Vol 1 ... CD 9.99
20
Ben Webster with Duke Ellington & His Orchestra — Great Big Band Collection ... CD
Joan (Germany), Early 40s. Used ... $1.99
Tracks include "Chelsea Bridge", "Bojangles", "Cotton Tail", "Sepia Panorama", "Perdido", and "Blue Serge" – 15 tracks total.
22
Jimmy Witherspoon/
Hi Fi, Late 50s. Very Good- ... $6.99
With Mel Lewis, Leroy Vinegar, & Jimmy Rowles.
(Mono pressing. Cover has a split spine, while the back has light surface wear & aging. Front looks nice.)
24
Gerry Mulligan & Ben Webster — Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster ... CD
Verve, 1959. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Mulligan always sounds great next to a tenor – especially in the Verve series that has him teamed up with players like Johnny Hodges, Paul Desmond, or Stan Getz. This release, cut with Ben Webster upfront, is one of the best of that series – and features the pair blowing easily and soulfully on some long tracks with rhythm by Jimmy Rowles, Leroy Vinnegar, and Mel Lewis. Titles include "Go Home", "The Cat Walk", "Sunday", "Who's Got Rhythm", and "Tell Me When".
25
Ben Webster — Atmosphere For Lovers & Thieves (Black Lion) ... LP
Black Lion, 1965. Very Good+ ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Sweet mid-60s sides from Ben Webster – recorded late in his career, but with that wonderful world-weary tone he was sporting at the time! The set features a few different groups – one a quartet with Kenny Drew on piano – another a larger group with Danish reedmen.
(US white label pressing. Cover has some ring and edge wear and a small corner cut.)
26
Ben Webster — For The Guv'nor ... LP
Affinity (UK), 1969. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
A great late date from Ben Webster – one that has the tenorist working with a Dutch rhythm section that features Cees Slinger on piano, Jacques Schols on bass, and John Engels on drums – stretching out nicely on long tracks that include "Drop Me Off At Harlem", "One For The Guv'nor", "Rockin In Rhythm", and "Prelude To A Kiss".
(Late 70s issue. Cover has light wear and is bent a bit near the opening.)
27
Ben Webster — King Of The Tenors (Japanese pressing) ... LP
Verve, 1953. Near Mint- ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Nobody deserves the title of King Of the Tenors more than Ben Webster – as his warm soulful style influenced countless players in his day, and stil sounds pretty darn great today! This early Verve LP features some excellent small combo work by Ben, playing as the main soloist in smaller groups that include players like Barney Kessel, Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, and Harry Edison – on swing-based tunes like "Bounce Blues", "Cottontail", "That's All", and "Jive At Six".
(Nice Japanese pressing, with obi – UMV 2081.)
28
Ben Webster — Remember Ben Webster (aka Big Ben Time) ... LP
Mercury (Netherlands), 1967. Sealed ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Great late work from the mighty Ben Webster – a set recorded overseas in London – with Dick Katz on piano, Spike Heatley on bass, and Tony Crombie on drums. Tracks are short and lively, and that amazing Ben Webster tone is alive and well – on titles that include "The Jeep Is Jumpin", "Where Or When", "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams", "Solitude", and "Exactly Like You".
29
Ben Webster — Ben Webster & Friends (aka Ben Webster & Associates) ... LP
Verve, 1959. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Classic late Webster material, recorded in a laidback setting for Verve, with associates that include Coleman Hawkins, Budd Johnson, Roy Eldridge, Jimmy Jones, and Les Spann. Side one is a very long version of "In A Mellow Tone", with a blowing session solo approach – and side two features shorter tracks like "Budd Johnson", "Young Bean", and "De Dar".
(80s UK pressing.)
30
Ben Webster — Ben Webster At The Renaissance ... LP
Contemporary, 1960. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
A previously unreleased live date from late in the career of Ben Webster – recorded at The Renaissance in Hollywood in 1960, but unissued until nearly 25 years later! The group features Jim Hall on guitar, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Red Mitchell on bass, and Frank Butler on drums – and tracks are all longish, and live-feeling – with that sense of fragility that marked some of Webster's later recordings in this mode, and even further deepened the humanity in his tone. And while the recording quality is definitely "live" at times, Ben's tone comes through loud and clear – different than on some of the tighter Verve recordings of a few years before, but in a way that's really great. Titles include "Georgia On My Mind, "Caravan", "Stardust", and "Ole Miss Blues".
(80s pressing. Cover has light wear and a factory sticker.)
31
Ben Webster — Did You Call? ... LP
Nessa, 1972. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
Excellent late 70s issue of a date from a few years earlier, of Ben playing with a pickup European rhythm section. The intimate setting and responsive younger players cast Webster's warm tenor in a great light, and his playing at this point was continuing to develop, with a nice burnished mellowness that never took off the gruff edginess that we love so much in his playing & tone. Half originals, and half standards, including "Barcelona Shout", "Don't Blame Me", "The Man I Love"and the title track.
(Teal and white label pressing.)
32
Ben Webster & Coleman Hawkins — Tenor Giants ... LP
Verve, 1957/
A late 70s pressing of some classic Verve sides from the 50s, featuring two masters of the tenor, blowing side by side in a couple of small group settings: one with rhythm backing by Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, and Alvin Stoller and the other with Jimmy Jones, Les Spann, Ray Brown and Jo Jones, plus Roy Eldridge and Budd Johnson in the frontline. The best tracks have lots of room – plenty of space so that the tenors aren't butting heads with each other in too close of quarters, with space to express themselves freely. Titles include "Blues For Yolande", "La Rosita", "Shine On Harvest Moon", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", "It Never Entered My Mind", "De-Dar", "Time After Time", "Young Bean" and "In A Mellowtone".
(Cover has light wear.)
33
Ben Webster &Tete Montoliu Trio — Gentle Ben ... CD
Ensayo/
Ben Webster didn't record much on our shores in the 60s and 70s – but overseas, he cut a number of really wonderful albums in the final years of his life – most of them really special sessions like this, which take his amazing tone and set it up in ways that really help it open up! That's definitely the case here – as Ben blows tenor with the excellent trio of pianist Tete Montoliu – which features Eric Peter on bass and Peer Wyboris on drums – really stretching out on some nicely long tracks. Webster and Montoliu both get plenty of room to solo strongly – and titles include "Ben's Blues", "My Nephew Bent", "Did You Call", "Don't Blame Me", "Barcelona Shout", "How Long Has This Been Going On", and "The Man I Love".
34
Ben Webster — Saturday Night At The Montmartre (plus Midnight & Sunday Morning) (Japanese paper sleeve edition) ... CD
Black Lion/
A really great package – one that brings together three different albums on the Black Lion label, all of which were recorded during the same live sessions at the Cafe Montmartre in Copenhagen! Ben Webster's tone is wonderful here – that mature, mellow sound that he brought to some of his standout live dates – and which is captured here in the kind of relaxed, soloist-focused setting that always makes 60s recordings from the Cafe Montmartre so great! The group is a familiar one for the house – Kenny Drew on piano, Nils Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Alex Riel on drums – but it's clear that Ben's the main star, and steps out on the kind of tenor solos really set him apart from the rest – on a record that's also one of his best from the decade! 2CD set features 21 tracks in all – and titles include "I Can't Get Started", "Londonderry Air", "My Romance", "Misty", "That's All", "Yesterdays", "Perdido", "Teach Me Tonight", "Friskin The Frog", "Stormy Weather", and "Blues For Herluf".
(Great 2CD paper sleeve pressing!)
35
Ben Webster — Warm Moods ... LP
Reprise, 1960. Near Mint- ... Out Of Stock
One of the all-time great ones by Ben Webster! The album was recorded near the end of Webster's all-too-short time on this planet – at a point when he had really perfected a sorrowful tone on tenor, and a strangely sinister approach to ballads – one that gave even familiar tunes an unusual edge. The great Johnny Richards handled backings for the set – in a mode that uses light strings in the background, and which lets the solos step right out front – in a style that rivals the great work of Ralph Burns for Verve's classic "with strings" albums. But the real strength here is Webster's tone, which is fantastic – as you'll hear on titles like "Stella By Starlight", "Nancy", "It's Easy To Remember", and "Accent On Youth".
(80s Discovery pressing.)
Possible matches: 36
37
Duke Ellington — Blanton Webster Band (3CD set) ... CD
Bluebird, 1940/
Includes 66 tracks on 3 CDs with arrangements by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Notable sidemen include Wallace Jones and Cootie Williams on trumpet, Rex Stewart on cornet, Tricky Sam Nanton and Lawrence Brown on trombone, Johnny Hodges on alto and soprano sax, Ben Webster on tenor sax, Fred Guy on guitar, Jimmy Blanton on bass, and Sonny Greer on drums.
38
Walter Brown — I'm Confessin The Blues – The Best Of The Rest 1945 to 1949 ... CD
Jasmine (UK), Late 40s. New Copy ... $15.99 16.99
Wonderful work from Walter Brown – a bluesy singer who first rose to prominence in the early 40s band of Jay McShann (alongside a young Charlie Parker) – but who recorded these great cuts in the postwar years! The style is a nice fusion of earlier jazz modes and some of the leaner currents that were coming into play as the R&B years approached – a bit more jazz-based than work by some of Brown's contemporaries – a legacy that comes in part from his style honed with McShann, but which also represents the way some artists of the time were taking swing styles into hipper, tighter territory for the jukebox crowd. Walter died young, and this set features a huge chunk of work from the midpoint of his career – singles for King Records, Signature, Capitol, and Peacock – a few of which have him reunited with Jay McShann, one with tenor from Ben Webster. Titles include "The Search", "What Evil Have I Done", "Gonna Play With Your Woman", "Fine Brown Lady", "Stop Light", "Confessin The Blues", "I'm Glad To Be Back", "Mary B", "I'm A Liar If I Say I Don't", "New Style Baby", "What Did You Do Last Night", "New Four Day Rider", and "Gonna Open Up A Business".
39
Benny Carter — Jazz Giant ... CD
Contemporary/
With Ben Webster on tenor, Frank Rosolino on trombone, and Barney Kessel on guitar. Titles include "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me", "Blue Lou", "A Walkin Thing", and "Old Fashioned Love".
(Out of print.)
40
Harry Edison & His Orchestra — Sweets ... CD
Verve (Japan), 1956. New Copy ... $12.99 14.99
Easy-going Verve swing at its best – the kind of small group session that let a player like Harry "Sweets" Edison shine in a way that he didn't always get to do in a larger group! For this set, Edison's joined by Ben Webster on tenor sax, Barney Kessel on guitar, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Alvin Stoller on drums and Joe Mondragon on bass – in a format that features tunes that are a bit shorter than on some of the other Verve swing sides of the time, but still very much with a relaxed and open-ended feel. Titles include several Edison originals – including "Hollering At The Watkins", "Used To Be Basie", "Studio Call", "Opus 711", "K.M. Blues", and "Walkin With Sweets".
41
Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges — Blues Summit (Side By Side/
Verve, 1959. Very Good 2LP Gatefold ... $13.99
A great little album that builds on the strength of Johnny Hodges' small group 50s sessions for Verve – and which lets Duke Ellington in on some of the action! The format is nicely stripped-down throughout – featuring Hodges in sextet and septet formation with players that include Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Les Spann, Lawrence Brown, and Jo Jones. And while Duke's actually only on piano on some of the tracks on the album (Billy Strayhorn handles keys on the others), the sessions are still a great example of small combo Ellingtonia at its best! Titles include "Ruint", "Stompy Jones", "Big Shoe", "Going Up", "Just A Memory", and "You Need to Rock". Added to the original album is a full bonus album here – done in a similar format, and titled Back To Back – with titles that include "Weary Blues", "Royal Garden Blues", "Loveless Love", "St Louis Blues", and "Wabash Blues".
(70s MGM stereo pressing. Cover has a cutout notch, light surface wear.)
42
Ralph J Gleason — Music In The Air (hardcover) ... Book 
Yale University Press, 2016. New Copy ... Just Sold Out!
Ralph J Gleason might just be one of the coolest cats to ever write about music – a key part of the San Francisco scene during the postwar years – where his talents helped illuminate both the worlds of art and music during the beat generation – then really helped shine a spotlight on all the cultural changes in the city during the 60s – which even led to Gleason's role in the founding of Rolling Stone magazine! Gleason always had a great eye (and ear) for things that were new and special, but never in a way that was slavish to the moment – or to its creator – and the book features an initial section on his writings on jazz and blues – with essays on John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Carmen McRae, BB King, John Handy, Vince Guaraldi & Bola Sete, Cal Tjader, Ben Webster, the San Francisco Jazz scene, and other diverse topics. The second section features Gleason on folk and rock – with bits on Jefferson Airplane, Hank Williams, Lenny Bruce, Odetta, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and others – and the final section features articles on politics and culture – covering topics that include Richard Nixon, radio payola, Law & Order, flower children, and other slices of society, seen from the Gleason viewpoint. Book is hardcover, and 309 pages.
43
Scott Hamilton — Swinging Young Scott ... LP
Famous Door, 1978. Near Mint- ... $13.99
One of the earliest albums as a leader from tenorist Scott Hamilton – definitely the young talent promised in the title, but already one with a very traditional sense of tone and timing! Hamilton's horn takes the lead, but gets strong support from Warren Vache on trumpet – whose well-crafted, economical lines never overwhelm the solos of the leader! The group's also got very deft piano work from John Bunch – who may well be the secret hero of the record – plus bass from Michael Moore and drums from Butch Miles. Scott's got this great rasp in his tone on some of the best numbers – a quality that hardly belies his age at all – and which has echoes of Lester Young and Ben Webster at their best. Titles include "Scott's Idea", "Thru For The Night", "Imagination", and "Warren's Rush".
(Japanese pressing, with insert!)
44
Coleman Hawkins — All Star Session ... LP
Jazz Bird, 1979. Near Mint- ... $9.99
With Walker Thomas and Ben Webster on tenor, Jonah Jones on trumpet, Milt Hinton on bass, Cozy Cole on drums, and Billy Taylor on piano.
45
Jon Hendricks — Evolution Of The Blues Song ... CD
Columbia, Early 60s. Used ... $14.99
An early concept album from the great Jon Hendricks – one that tells the story of blues through jazz – all put together as a flowing story in music! Jon speaks and sings the whole tale – but also gets some help on vocals from Big Miller, Hanna Dean, and Jimmy Witherspoon – as well as great musical backing from the core Ike Isaac Trio, with solos by Pony Poindexter and Ben Webster! The music is mostly rooted in blues, but with a hipper jazz sensibility – almost in the way that Oscar Brown Jr and others were going back to the roots, but updating them for the 60s. Titles include "WPA Blues", "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child", "New Orleans", "I Had My Share", "Jumpin With Symphony Sid", and "Please Send Me Someone To Love".
(Out of print.)
46
Johnny Hodges — Jeep Is Jumpin – Centenary Issue ... CD
Living Era (UK), 1940s/
Includes 46 mono recordings on 2 CDs and features work with Jimmy Blanton, John Coltrane, Ben Webster, Taft Jordan, Billy Strayhorn, and Duke Ellington.
47
Johnny Hodges — Memories Of Ellington ... LP
Norgran, Early 50s. Very Good ... $39.99
With Ben Webster on tenor, Lawrence Brown on trombone, Emmett Berry on trumpet, Leroy Lovett on piano, and Lloyd Trotman on bass; and featuring Flip Phillips and Al Sears on tenor, and Sonny Green on drums. Titles include "In A Mellow Tone", "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart", "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good", "Sophisticated Lady", "Solitude", and more.
(Heavy yellow label Norgran pressing with trumpter logo and deep groove. Vinyl has a mark that clicks a bit on "In A Mellow Tone". Cover has some edge wear and yellowing from age.)
49
Billie Holiday — Quintessential Billie Holiday Vol 2 ... CD
Columbia, 1936. Used ... $1.99
Notable sidemen include Teddy Wilson, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, and Bunny Berigan.
(Out of print. Traycard has some water staining.)
50
Richard Groove Holmes — Groove ... CD
Pacific Jazz/
An early cooker from Richard Groove Holmes – and one of the most important Hammond jazz sets to come out of the west coast at the time! At a point when most folks think the east has a lock on the instrument, Groove bursts forth here with a great hard-edged sound – proof that the LA scene didn't just go for cool jazz and the occasional hardbop date – and the start of a great run of records that would have Holmes sounding great all through the 60s! The lineup is nicely unusual, too – with guitar from Chicagoan George Freeman, then on the west coast – and a key part of Holmes' group for years – and trombone from the excellent Lawrence Tricky Lofton, a player who rarely recorded, but made some great sides with Carmell Jones. The group also features Les McCann on piano, a nice combo with the organ – plus Ben Webster on tenor and Ron Jefferson on drums. Titles include "Good Groove", "That Healin' Feelin'", "Them That's Got", and "Deep Purple".
(Out of print, cutout notch through spine.)
51
Richard Groove Holmes — Richard Groove Holmes – Jazz Milestones Series ... LP
Pacific Jazz, Early 60s. Very Good+ Gatefold ... $4.99
A collection of Groove's early sides as a leader for the Pacific Jazz label – a bit more in the traditional soul jazz style than later work, cut with players that include Ben Webster, Clifford Scott, Gene Ammons, Les McCann, and Joe Pass. Titles include "Good Vibrations", "Comin Thru The Apple", "That Healin Feelin", "Sweatin", and "Deep Purple".
(NOTE – Cover is heavily stained and wrinkled at the bottom corners, with some flaking and peeling, and splitting in the bottom seam.)
52
Jazz At The Philharmonic — Challenges ... LP
Verve, 1954. Very Good+ ... $5.99
Features Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, and Ben Webster.
(80s issue.)
53
Jazz At The Philharmonic — Norman Granz' Jazz At The Philharmonic – Hartford 1953 ... CD
Pablo, 1953. Used ... $9.99
Material recorded during the big Verve Records years of Norman Granz – but not issued here until much later, on Pablo Records! Features Lester Young and Ben Webster on tenors, Roy Eldridge and Charlie Shavers on trumpet, Benny Carter on alto, Herb Ellis on guitar, and Oscar Peterson on piano!
(Out of print.)
54
Guy Lafitte — Guy Lafitte & His Quartette & Quintette ... CD
Fresh Sound (Spain), Mid 50s. New Copy ... $15.99 18.99
One of the greatest tenor stars in postwar Europe was Guy Lafitte – a magnificent player whose genius rivalled Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster, but also one who's been sadly underrecognized outside the French scene of which he was a part! Most of Lafitte's best work from the old days is extremely rare – especially the small group material like this, which really lets you hear his amazing tone on the tenor – played here with a quality that often rivals some of the best Verve tenor-based albums of the time. The set features material from two different 10" albums, and the great Blue & Sentimental record – and all the tracks feature vibes from Geo Daly – an amazing complement to Lafitte's tenor! Other players include Raymond Fol and Andre Periany on piano, Jean Pierre Sasson on guitar, Buddy Banks on bass, and Teddy Martin on drums – and the set features 20 tracks in all, with titles that include "Stardust", "Krum Elbow Blues", "Where Or When", "Chase A La Baute", "If I Could Be With You", "Melodie Au Crepuscule", "Partnership Boys", "Dans Un Vieux Livre", and "Flying Back".
55
Country Joe McDonald & Others — Quiet Days In Clichy ... LP
Vanguard, Late 60s. Very Good+ ... $4.99
Country Joe without the Fish – and also featuers music by Young Flowers, Ben Webster, and Andy Sundstrom!
(Cover has light wear. Includes Vanguard inner catalog sleeve.)
56
Jay McShann — Hootie Blues – A Centenary Tribute – His 27 Finest ... CD
Retrospective (UK), 1940s/
Includes small ensemble and big band material and features work with Charlie Parker, Al Hibbler, Ben Webster, Jimmy Witherspoon, the Kansas City Stompers, and others!
57
Gerry Mulligan — Gerry Mulligan Meets The Sax Giants Vol 1 ... LP
Verve (UK), Mid 50s-Early 60s. Near Mint- ... $6.99
Classic Mulligan recordings with Stan Getz, Ben Webster, Paul Desmond, and Johnny Hodges – with titles that include "Blues In Time", "A Ballad", "Bunny", "Tell Me When", "Who's Got Rhythm", "Shady Side", "Too Close For Comfort", and "Standstill".
(Cover has a peeled spot and some remnants from sticker removal at the top left corner.)
58
Oliver Nelson — More Blues & The Abstract Truth ... LP
Impulse, 1963. Near Mint- ... $24.99
Oliver Nelson's follow-up to his classic Blues & The Abstract Truth session for Impulse – and like that one, a tremendous little album – filled with deep tones and wonderful colors in sound! The group here's a bit larger than before – an ensemble that includes Phil Woods on alto, Ben Webster on tenor, Thad Jones on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone, Roger Kellaway on piano, Richard Davis on bass, and Grady Tate on drums. The album includes some superb original compositions by Nelson – just the kind of overlooked jazz numbers that make the set great – and as with most of his arrangements from the time, there's a perfect balance between group force and intimate solo space! Titles include "The Critic's Choice", "Blues & The Abstract Truth", "One For Bob", and 2 versions of Dave Brubeck's "Theme From Mr. Broadway".
(80s MCA pressing, in a non-gatefold cover with barcode. Cover has light wear, but looks great overall.)
59
Charlie Parker & Others — Norman Granz Jam Session (Vols 1 & 2) ... CD
Verve, 1952. Used ... Just Sold Out!
An expanded version of the first album to carry the Jazz At The Philharmonic formula into the studio – and a record that virtually coined the term "jam session" for 50s jazz! Norman Granz repeats the style he'd done so well in a live setting – and brings together a host of all-star players in a very relaxed, open environment – one that gives them all plenty of space to open up and hit some nice long solos. Players include Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges, and Benny Carter in a three-alto frontline, plus Flip Phillips and Ben Webster on tenor, Barney Kessel on guitar, Oscar Peterson on piano, Ray Brown on bass, and JC Heard on drums. Side one features the original "Jam Blues", and side two features a "Ballad Medley", with each solo star taking one of the tunes in the set. Also features the material from vol 2 – "Funky Blues" and "What Is This Thing Called Love".
(Out of print.)
60
Buddy Rich — Buddy Rich Just Sings ... LP
Verve, Late 50s. Very Good ... $24.99
Buddy Rich just sings, not plays drums – and given his famous temper, we're guessing that all the folks in the studio told him he sounds like Mel Torme! Actually, Buddy's not bad on vocals – and he's got a down to earth charm that can make a record like this a surprising charmer – especially when he sings next to players who include Ben Webster on tenor, Harry Edison on trumpet, and Howard Roberts on guitar!
(Blue label Verve pressing, with deep groove. Cover has tape on the seams, and a small mark from an old sticker – but looks nice overall.)
61
Buddy Rich — Sing & Swing With Buddy Rich ... LP
Norgran, Early 50s. Very Good- ... $19.99
A record that serves up just what you'd expect from the title – a bit of raspy vocals from Buddy Rich – and some swinging instrumental material, with a group that features Ben Webster on tenor, Joe Newman on trumpet, Oscar Peterson on piano, and Freddie Greene on guitar!
(Yellow label Norgran pressing with deep groove and trumpeter logo. Cover has some light wear, and a bit of tape on the seams – but is nice overall.)
62
Jo Stafford — Jo + Jazz ... LP
Corinthian, Late 50s. Near Mint- ... $1.99
They certainly got the title right on this one – as Jo's singing a great batch of jazz-based tracks – and getting help from an array of small group players that include Ben Webster, Johnny Hodges, Conte Candoli, and Ray Nance! Arrangements are by Johnny Mandel, in a warmly chromatic mode that really helps take Jo's vocals away from the pop end of the spectrum – and into a lush and almost torchy mode that's a real surprise. Mandel does an especially nice job of working the horns into the mix – allowing for some slight but well-placed solo and introduction bits that really help shape the overall sound of the album. Titles include "For You", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", "Midnight Sun", "The Folks Who Live On The Hill", "I Didn't Know About You", "Imagination", "Dream Of You", "Day Dream", and "I've Got The World On A String".
(Maroon label pressing. Cover has surface wear and some splitting on the top seam.)
64
Jimmy Witherspoon — Jimmy Witherspoon At Monterey (Jimmy Witherspoon At The Monterey Jazz Festival) ... LP
Hi Fi, 1959. Near Mint- ... $6.99
Arguably one of the greatest albums ever cut by Jimmy Witherspoon – recorded live at an early Monterey Jazz Festival, and done in a style that shows the strong link between jazz and blues in Jimmy's work! The group on the set includes Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, and Woody Herman – and the longish tracks on the set give them all more than enough room to solo alongside Jimmy's bluesy vocals. The album's also one of the first to be produced by a young David Axelrod – and shows a clear respect for both the singer and the musicians, in a combination that would come out even more strongly on Axe's later productions for Capitol. Titles include "No Rollin Blues", "Big Fine Girl", "Good Rockin Tonight", "Ain't Nobody's Business", and "When I Been Drinkin".
(Later yellow label pressing. Cover has light wear.)
65
Various — Jazz Giants – Reeds Vol 2 ... LP
Mercury/
Features saxaphone greats Paul Quinichette, Coleman Hawkins, Willie Smith, Lester Young, and Ben Webster.
(Trip pressing. Cover has light edge and surface wear.)
66
Various — Tenor Saxes (Verve) ... LP
Verve, Early 50s. Very Good ... $11.99
A nice collection of famous work by tenor players recorded for Verve and Norgran! Titles include "All Of Me" and "Pastel" by Illinois Jacquet, "Tenderly" and "Almost Like Being In Love" by Ben Webster, "With The Wind & The Rain In Your Hair" and "I Hadn't Anyone Till You" by Stan Getz, "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" and "Take The A Train" by Flip Phillips, and "Swinging On A Star" and "Charlie's Venture" by Charlie Ventura.
(MGM pressing, nice and clean, and cover is nice.)
67
Cab Calloway — Chronological Cab Calloway & His Orchestra – 1934 to 1937 ... CD
Classics (France), Mid 30s. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Notable sidemen include Milt Hinton and Ben Webster – on tracks that include "Peckin", "Good Sauce From The Gravy Bowl", "You Sure Got The Cure For What Ails Me", "Save Me, Sister", "Love Is The Reason", "Nagasaki", and "Frisco Flo".
(Out of print.)
68
Harry Edison & His Orchestra — Sweets ... CD
Verve, 1956. Used ... Temporarily Out Of Stock
Easy-going Verve swing at its best – the kind of small group session that let a player like Harry "Sweets" Edison shine in a way that he didn't always get to do in a larger group! For this set, Edison's joined by Ben Webster on tenor sax, Barney Kessel on guitar, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Alvin Stoller on drums and Joe Mondragon on bass – in a format that features tunes that are a bit shorter than on some of the other Verve swing sides of the time, but still very much with a relaxed and open-ended feel. Titles include several Edison originals – including "Hollering At The Watkins", "Used To Be Basie", "Studio Call", "Opus 711", "K.M. Blues", and "Walkin With Sweets".
(Out of print.)
Also available Sweets ... CD 12.99
69
Charlie Parker — Bird – The Complete Charlie Parker On Verve (10 CD set) ... CD
Verve, Late 40s/
A jazz treasure chest – an extraordinary bounty of Bird on Verve! You get absolutely everything here, master takes, alternate takes, loads of previously unissued material, rehearsals, incomplete takes, you get it all! Sidemen include Benny Carter, Kenny Clarke, Miles Davis, Roy Eldridge, Gil Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, John Lewis, Machito, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Ben Webster and Lester Young. There's 177 (!!) tracks in all, so we can't list all the titles here, but some of them include "Blues For Norman", "The Bird", "Repetition", "No Noise", "Okiedoke", "The Opener", "Lester Leaps In", "Flyin' Home", "Perdido", "Everything Happens To Me", "April In Paris", "Summertime", "I Didn't Know What Time It Was", "Bloomdido", "Mohawk", "My Melancholy Baby", "Leapfrog", "East Of The Sun", "I'll Remember April", "Au Privave", "KC Blues", "Swedish Schnapps", "Estrellita", "Funky Blues", "Jam Blues", "I Get A Kick Out Of You", and "Love For Sale".
(Out of print. Box has some very light wear on the bottom edge, but this is a great copy overall.)
70
Bill Harris — Complete 50s Sessions (Bill Harris & Friends/
Lonehill (Spain), 1946/
The only 3 albums ever cut as a leader by trombonist Bill Harris – a player who first rose to fame in the Woody Herman group of the early 50s, but who was also a heck of a great leader on his own! Like other Hermanites, Harris here displays an amazing talent for both tightness of group formation and respect of solo space – a style that allows for some bold head arrangements on most tunes, but also really makes the best of solo voices from players who include Ben Webster on tenor, Terry Gibbbs on vibes, Lou Levy on piano, and Harris himself on trombone. Most of the tunes are standards, but arranged in a manner that's quite fresh – another Hermanite touch – and the 2CD package features 7 tracks from Bill Harris & Friends (with Ben Webster), 8 more from Bill Harris & The Ex-Hermanites (with Gibbs, Lou Levy, and a bit of vocals), and 12 from The Bill Harris Herd, which features four trombones and four saxes, in Hermanite formation. CD also features one 1946 track recorded with Ralph Burns – making for a total of 28 tracks that include "It Might As Well Be Spring", "Laura", "Apple Honey", "Just One More Chance", "I Surrender Dear", "Your Father's Moustache", "Lemon Drop", "Early Autumn", "Bill Not Phil", "You're Blase", "Jive At Five", "Tutti Frutti", "Sue Loves Mable", and "Introspection".
(Out of print.)
71
Johnny Hodges — Johnny Hodges Live In Paris – 18 Mars 1961 ... CD
Fremeaux & Associates (France), 1961. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A really great live set from alto genius Johnny Hodges – a set that's right up there with some of his best studio albums on Verve at the time! As with those records, Johnny's taking a slight sidestep from the world of Duke Ellington here – working with similar material and familiar players, but also really stretching out on these beautiful solos that focus on his warm, raspy charm on the alto – that quality that made Hodges as important to the sound of mid 50s jazz as Ben Webster or Lester Young on the tenor! The group's a septet, and other players include Lawrence Brown on trombone, Harry Carney on baritone, Al Williams on piano, and Ray Nance on cornet – on titles that include "All Of Me", "Blues For Madeline", "Solitude", "Mood Indigo", "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me", "Jeep's Blues", "Rockin In Rhythm, and a nice long take on "Perdido".
72
Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges — Side By Side ... CD
Verve (Japan), 1959. New Copy ... Out Of Stock
A great little session that builds on the strength of Johnny Hodges' small group 50s sessions for Verve – and which lets Duke Ellington in on some of the action! The format is nicely stripped-down throughout – featuring Hodges in sextet and septet formation with players who include Ben Webster on tenor, Roy Eldridge on trumpet, Les Spann on flute, Lawrence Brown on trombone, and Jo Jones on drums. Surprisingly, Duke's actually only on piano on three tracks on the album – Billy Strayhorn handles keys on the other – but the session's still a great example of small combo Ellingtonia at its best, the special way Ellington players could extrapolate his ideas into a leaner formation on a record like this! Titles include "Ruint", "Stompy Jones", "Big Shoe", "Going Up", "Just A Memory", and "You Need to Rock".
Partial matches: 4
73
Charlie Parker — Complete Norman Granz Master Takes (4CD set) ... CD
Disconforme (Spain), Early 50s. Used 4 CDs ... $28.99
Featuring Kenny Dorham, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Red Rodney, Charlie Shavers, Coleman Hawkins, Flip Phillips, Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, Webster, Hank Jones, Al Haig, Thelonious Monk, John Lewis, Oscar Peterson. Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Percy Heath, Shelly Manne, Max Roach, Buddy Rich, Roy Haynes, Kenny Clarke, Art Taylor, Barney Kessel, Machito, and Gil Evans.
(Out of print.)
74
Webster Lewis — 8 For The 80s ... LP
Epic, 1979. Very Good ... $4.99
Genius jazzy soul from Webster Lewis – one of his amazing late 70s sets for Epic Records! By this point in his career, Lewis had honed his keyboard craft to perfection – and on albums like this one, he laid down some excellent smooth soulful fusion that soared in a righteous way that few other artists of his generation could match! The sound's never cheesy, and has a wonderfully fusion-based bottom that's served up by a range of great players that include Paul Jackson, James Gadson, and Bennie Maupin – and which is topped off by very jazz-sensitive production from Lewis and Herbie Hancock. Most cuts have vocals – some by Lewis himself – and the album includes the monster dancefloor cut "Give Me Some Emotion", plus the cuts "Fire", "Go For It", "You Deserve To Dance", and "The Love You Give To Me".
(Cover and labels have a name in pen.)
75
Herbie Hancock — Directstep ... CD
CBS/
A rare Japanese-only session from Herbie Hancock – very electric, and nicely funky in all the right parts! The set was recorded at the end of the 70s with amazing fidelity – and features a unique lineup that includes Webster Lewis on additional keyboards and Alphonse Mouzon on drums – alongside more familiar partners Bennie Maupin on reeds, Paul Jackson on bass, and Bill Summers on percussion! Given these last three, there's almost a slight Headhunters feel to the set – but the overall groove is a bit more mellow, with some wonderfully spacey touches that are super-soulful – and miles above anything that Herbie was recording in the US at the time. Titles include the sublime mellow groover "Butterfly", plus "Shiftless Shuffle", and the side-long jazzy jammer "I Thought It Was You"!
76
Michael Wycoff — Come To My World ... LP
RCA, 1980. Very Good ... $6.99
A perfect example of the kind of sophisticated groove he had right from the start of his legendary run on RCA – the kind of vibe that maybe kept Wycoff off the charts at the time, but which has made him a favorite on the underground scene for years! Keyboards play a big part in the sound – especially Fender Rhodes from Webster Lewis – and Wycoff's got a voice that sometimes goes for the wide, far range of DJ Rogers, but also can really glide along with the keys as well, a bit like Stevie Wonder! Titles include "One Alone", "Do Ya Think", "Feel My Love", "Soneone Standing By", and "Just As Long".
(Cover has some edge wear and bent corners.)
Source: https://www.dustygroove.com/search/Ben+Webster
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