Ben Webster recordings
recommended by the boardmembers
of the Ben Webster Foundation

The Blanton-Webster Band. Compilation Album by Duke Ellington
Recorded 1940-1942
Label: RCA 3CD set

The Blanton–Webster Band is a compilation album that combines the master takes of all the recordings by Duke Ellington's Orchestra during the years of 1940 to 1942, involving bassist Jimmy Blanton and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster. The recordings were originally made for RCA Victor during what many critics regard as the Ellington orchestra's golden period. The three CDs contain many numbers which were to become classics, and the arrangements (by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn) were frequently inventive and innovative.

Ben Webster King of Tenors
Recorded May and December 1953
Label: Verve

King of the Tenors is an album by American jazz saxophonist Ben Webster featuring tracks recorded in 1953 for the Norgran label and originally released as The Consummate Artistry of Ben Webster (MGN 1001). The album was re-issued in 1957 on Verve Records as King of the Tenors (MGV 8020), and has been released with that title ever since.[1] Webster is accompanied by The Oscar Peterson Trio, and, on several tracks, by Benny Carter and Harry "Sweets" Edison. In the book Someone to Watch Over Me: The Life and Music of Ben Webster, Frank Büchmann-Møller writes of the album, "These recordings show a broad spectrum of Ben's craft and can be heard as a summary of his artistic level at the time....

The Ben Webster Art Tatum Quartet
Recorded December 1953 and September 1956
Label: Verve

The Art Tatum - Ben Webster Quartet is an album by pianist Art Tatum and saxophonist Ben Webster featuring tracks recorded in 1956 by the Verve label and released as a 12-inch LP in 1958.[1] The album was reissued as The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Volume Eight by Pablo in 1975. Allmusic's review by William Ruhlmann states "Tatum never subsides to simple comping; he just keeps soloing away under Webster's rich tenor tones until Webster stops playing, and then keeps on to the end

Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster
Recorded October 1957
Label: Verve

Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster is studio album recorded on October 16, 1957, by Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster, accompanied by a rhythm section led by Oscar Peterson.
Quite possibly one of the best jazz albums ever recorded. Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster are in perfect harmonic balance with every song. Blues for Yolande is an amazing song and Rosita is played to perfection. This album is a must for any jazz fan.

Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson
Recorded November 1959
Label: Verve

Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson is a 1960 studio album featuring a jazz trio, led by the Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, with the tenor saxophonist Ben Webster. Writing for AllMusic, critic Stephen Cook wrote "Another fine Webster release on Verve that sees the tenor great once again backed by the deluxe Oscar Peterson Trio... to reassure Peterson fans worried about scant solo time for their hero, the pianist lays down a healthy number of extended runs, unobtrusively shadowing Webster's vaporous tone and supple phrasing along the way. Not only a definite first-disc choice for Webster newcomers, but one of the jazz legend's all-time great records 

Ben Webster Johnny Hodges. The Complete 1960 Sextet Jazz Cellar Sesstion
Recorded November 1960
Label: Solar Records

This release contains the superb November 1960 session recorded by the Ben Webster - Johnny Hodges sextet in studio conditions at the Jazz cellar, in San Francisco (without an audience). It is presented here in its complete form on a single CD for the first time ever. The two great saxophonists were backed by a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass and drums. These recordings are exceptional in that no other date exists in their collaborative discography featuring them as the only horns.

Ben Webster See You At The Fair
Impulse
Recorded march and November 1964

Ben Webster's final American recording was one of his greatest. At 55, the tenor saxophonist was still very much in his prime but considered out of style in the U.S. He would soon permanently move to Europe where he was better appreciated.

 Ben Webster’s First Concert In Denmark
Storyville
Recorded 1964

This is a small piece of jazz history. In January 1965, Ben Webster, newly arrived in Europe from America, was working out where to settle down. This concert shows why he decided on Copenhagen.

Ben Webster plays Ballads
Storyville
Recording: Copenhagen, Denmark July 1967-April 1970

Ben Webster had a perfect tone for playing ballads, full of sentiment and emotion. On this Storyville release he caresses seven timeless melodies in a variety of settings including trios with either Teddy Wilson, Ole Kock Hansen or Kenny Drew on piano, backing by The Danish Radio Big Band (on "Cry Me a River") or a version of "Greensleeves" with a string orchestra.

Ben Webster No Fool No Fun
Storyville
Recorded October 1970

This unusual recording features the great tenorman Ben Webster at a rehearsal with The Denmark Radio Big Band and singers Matty Peters and Freddy Albeck. Webster often calls out instructions to the group and at various times sound humorous, instructive and impatient. There is not a great amount of music on this set with its many breakdowns and interruptions but Webster fans will find these candid and certainly spontaneous moments to be of interest.