JazzWax

JazzWax

2007-2025

Backgrounder: Ben Webster - 'King of the Tenors'

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Marc Myers
Jun 07, 2024
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Too often we think of the post-war tenor saxophone revolution as being solely in the hands of the tough Coleman Hawkins and laid-back Lester Young. There actually was a third revolutionary in the mix—Ben Webster.

The breathy Ellingtonian swinger had a gruffer sound than Prez and was more romantic and seductive than Hawk. And while Webster didn't have as …

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