The Soul of Ben Webster - His Emotional Tenor Saxophone

[fimble666]

John Coltrane once said regarding Stan Getz that "we would all like to sound like that...if we could" ... the same could equally be said of Ben Webster. However, if we all sounded like Getz & Webster it would cease to be special (which of course it is). The lesson of corse is that we can admire other players sounds but must try and develop out own unique style and sound.

[varscht]

thank you for uploading this

[markonighthawk]

What a great tune. I love Jazz and never bother with hard core comparisons of this and that... the music, whomever is playing it, either picks you up and carries you with it, or it doesn't. Every now and then you get carried past technique and experience and catch a glimpse of someone's musical soul. I think this would qualify. Michael Layne, Cafe Jazzed! FB Group.

[Moldy366]

It doesn't get better than this...

Moldy 366

[edmondhalldotdk]

- sorry - from may 1970!

[edmondhalldotdk]

The tune Old Folks, a take from Montmartre, Copenhagen, Denmark, in the mid-60-ties. On bass Hugo Rasmussen and drums Ole Streenberg!

The tune is on the double-cd: Ben Webster 100 Years - the Brute And The Beautiful, from Storyville, released in 2009. Can also be downloaded from emusic.com.

[MrSvendKreiner]

To McMattColeman: the name of the song is Old folks

[MCMattColeman]

Could anyone tell me the name of this song?

[puck578]

J´le aime ....

[charvinaldo]

Ben just sings it in such a unique way. and his vibratto just glows. for some reason Ben's playing sticks out to me as just so genuine.

[JazzVideoGuy]

@charvinaldo Ben Webster's soul.

[bszwed]

@charvinaldo His breath tones are magnificent

[speakeasynyc]

The horn like a voice or the voice like a horn. Hearing Ben phrase out this solo brought to mind this is how one should sing it...only to be followed by kindred magic by that legend of the piano. All that is good in jazz, without double time, just allowing the music to take your time.

[idavisje1]

There are just no words for this. So beautiful ♥

[JazzVideoGuy]

@idavisje1 Ben continues to touch us deeply.

[NikoloZzZoid]

just great

[JazzVideoGuy]

@NikoloZzZoid There's magic in these grooves.

[ejahn4462]

Ben, what's more to say-A great musician, a magic friend, Iloved him !

[ejahn4462]

Ben, what's more to say-A great musician, a magic friend, Iloved him ! I am still thinking of the many nights we spend at the old Monmartre in Copenhagen

[JazzVideoGuy]

@ejahn4462 You knew Ben Webster and heard him at Montmarte? Amazing!

[santimusica]

The name of the ballad is Old Folks.

Such a beautiful interpretation.

Thanks for the music

[stjohnofb]

This is one of a few clips that outweighs all the garbage on YouTube. Brilliant.

[ImaniHekima]

Definitely one I'll be watching again and again.

[RadiZayfman]

Dear @JazzVideoGuy, thank you.

[saintpistolsburg]

Sensational performance.

[123must]

Ben is crying and me too!

[lipglossveins22]

What is the name of the tune they are playing?

[montydendron1]

Before the last war these jazz giants played swing, but afterwords it all became so soulful and introspective.

1935-1945 saw them at the very height.

[SeybertGuy]

God....This just rips me apart....so much emotion...wow. Great video.

[SeerTrulth]

Mr. Webster needs to lick his reed? Then Mr. Webster needs to lick his reed, 'cause he's a god of the horn.

[dirtyfrenchie]

JH et BW terminent leurs bières,éteignent leur cigarette, règlent les consommations et, se tenant à la rambarde qui semble reculer comme si elle était vivante , ils s'éloignent tels deux oiseaux grotesques, deux ombres, deux clowns tragique-comiques.Las et transpirant, ils titubent vers la pointe de l'aiguille, la mystérieuse goutte où les attend, tapi, leur malheureux dieu Morphée. Ben Webster a dans les yeux des reflets dorés. (Velibor Colic, bosniac writer, in Perdido, fiction about BW)

[me007963]

This completely tears me up,



[mrdandy7]

i am not sure why he s cryin...i know why im cryin thou, this music is divine!...teddy's hands are two fluttering butterflyies on the keys !!!

[miclu1960]

How on earth can 3 people dislike this wonderful piece of music!!

[MrSvendKreiner]

I was sitting this morning at 5am feeling rotten because I couldn't sleep, thought of something that I heard 40 years ago on Danish television and hadn't forgotten since, looked for it on YouTube, found it (thank you JazzVideoGuy) and ................... I'm fine again.

[mrhitmanisback]

if ben was ever inspirational this is it 

[ignatzratsky]

crying as he plays- who else but Ben Webster

[sirjuandabicho]

maravilloso, muchas gracias.

[surrealillness]

this is so moving.

[slimpope1]

Could anyone tell me where i could purchase a copy of this video?

[hommefriday]

@slimpope1 If you do find out, could you please let me know also? This is one of the great frustrations of YouTube - where to get hold of the DVD or Video!

[alfonsjansson]

this is just breath taking and amazing

[mpcguy]

the tune is "old folks" and yes ben is crying for the news of the loss of his compatriot in the duke ellington orchestra, johnny hodges. one of the most beautiful and heartfelt ballads on yt. great post

[KelliErlandson]

I believe the name of the song is "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning", but it's hard to tell because there's some great ad-libbing going on here.

[orson15]

@KelliErlandson The tune is 'Old Folks' by Willard Robison.

[axxissww11]

wonderful

[buddyharmonica]

What is the name of this song?

[ledzeppelinbojo]

You can see the sadness in Ben and he plays it out of his sax.

[17205513]

I really like this title, these men should be honored, for bringing pure heaven to earth!

[123must]

That tears will come to heaven!

[YB6529]

Grazie per un buon giocatore e la musica.　

[123must]

Yes, N.O.H.P. plays the bass : Wanderfull and so intimate. Now one of the best!

[123must]

So sad and so warming.

[orson15]

It's hard to imagine anyone playing with more emotion and beauty than Big Ben.

He learned how to play ballads by sitting next to Johnny Hodges in Duke Ellington's sax section, hence the tears on learning of Rab's death.

[FongoBongo]

this is so incredibly beautiful. Ben Webster and Teddy Wilson play from their soul.

[millsbrothers]

Gosh I love Teddy Wilson what a solo!!

[helluvagun]

One of the best videos!

[slickcross]

Had to check this out. Family Guy mentioned this guy.

[jakadaba]

It's NHOP playing the bass. One of the greatest.

[valvetrom]

So soul ful.

[VJSco]

nice

[deepkeel65]

Almost overwhelming on several levels. At times, Ben seems almost unable to proceed. Teddy seems on the verge of tears as well. Note how Ben slows Teddy down right at the top.

[emceefisherprice]

that tear fall @ 6:24 made me tear up too. that man wasn't whole without the horn in his mouth. if ANYONE has a link to him doing "danny boy" please link or msg me bc it's the best cover i've heard any musician do of any other musician fron any genre, ever. tough record? not for web. play it again ben.

[NkamilN]

the falling tear at 6:24 made me loose it , a true piece by soul and emotions. RIP

[emceefisherprice]

does anyone have a copy or know where i can find ben webster doing "danny boy?"

[dec10]

ben webster with the modern jazz quartet, i think he might've recorded it with oscar peterson too

[bellscourt]

it is on a CD entitled Stormy Weather blcd760108 recorded in Copenhagen in 1965 : Londonderry Air ( Danny Boy)

[SaleeWeed]

well played mr.webster

[helluvagun]

That Ben Webster is letting some tears drop after Teddy's solo to me only makes him great! To let the tears out is fulfilment, and his solo is heavenly!

[jakadaba]

A guy in Copenhagen, after this concert, went up to Ben and asked him : Why did you cry during this number?, and he answered : Because I played it so wonderful..

I love this music

[IndependentGeorge76]

this was recorded very shortly after Johnny Hodges death, which may account for Bens tears. that said he was an emotional guy, in this age he'd problem have some acronym condition dreamed up by doctors to describe it.

when he wasnt getting drunk and starting fights in bars he was playing some of the most tender and soulfull music ever created. he had a lot of emotion in him and that came out in his playing.

RIP a true jazz legend and supreme master of soul.

[lechdomanski]

great music mr Webster:)

[BuckshotLaFunke]

Looks as if Ben's crying after Teddy's solo. Teddy Wilson - such a master of the ivories. Was he looking at special chord changes while soloing?

[deepkeel65]

@BuckshotLaFunke Wilson probaby just had the changes scribbled down, or possibly the main score, and was improvising over that. Teddy Wilson was that good. A master, yes.

[TheCactusjack1]

Wow, no words man.

Only beautiful.

[morrovsky]

amazing !!!!!!! teddy wilson rules

[tesamesa]

Beautiful!!

[aerofredywr]

So sweet!

[alexalot23]

mr. webster has an incredible sound

[beachking04]

Africa shmafrica, Its just Pure passion. Long live the the greatest American music herritage I know as Jazz!

The best music in the world can be enjoyed on any continent.

[blackrocknutt]

ha--youtube obviously! mmph--there's been way too much screen time for the kid today.

[blackrocknutt]

myspace--feisty as ever i see. nothing but love could come out of teddy and ben. jes' like blues and jazz could only have come out of the african experience in america. art blakey was having fun with somebody that day. especially given he knew what chano pozo had taught dizzy about african music. (nevermind no african slave trade no art blakey!) why some folk get shook when you say jazz and africa in the same sentence is beyond me-- both two of the loveliest sounds i know.

[TheAlamut]

koh-i-noor

[lesterwyoung]

Re Ben crying: He was asked one time why he cried when he played. "Because I play so beautifully, man!' he replied.

[redsaxy]

it happens man, ive played a few gigs that have left me and a close friend in tears... music is power stuff...

[11colorado]

ahhhhh.................

[jazzflutist]

Yes, Johnny Hodges died May 11, 1970.

[nairda200885]

jaaz dla smaku...w calej swej boskosci

[ashrafilm]

this music we call jazz rests perfectly and with tranquility at the door of africa, like classical music rests firmly with western europe. africa doesn't need to glorify or flirt with classical, because it has all the genres itself, everyone on planet earth originates from africa, 1 gene in all of us. long live the good name of the very best of the jazz men, 'africa' xx

[sasuke7532]

In the words of Art Blakey, "It doesn't have a damn thing to do with Africa.

[StrideBatty76]

:-))))

[JolleSax]

It's music and of all worlds. It ain't about a bunch of soil, no matter its name or location. Ben is crying because he just learnt Johnny Hodges died in hospital. This is about soul and friendship, who cares about some mud?

PS : please mention somewhere this song is called "Old Folks".

[helluvagun]

@rubberbandsax

So, separate the eggs from the cake and wisk the flour thru the silt! ;-o

[helluvagun]

@rubberbandsax

Naturellement!

Many eggs, and a lotta flour but few make the cake!

[rokedetbamidbar]

@rubberbandsax

@rubberbandsax

Actually, Jazz did in fact originate with the Blacks in the south, and is directly linked to the blues.

This is a fact - you can read about it in Wikipedia.

I do agree that it is a melting pot of music as well, but it is from the Black people, Afro-Americans.

That being said - I love this tune, and jazz, and the blues -and I'm a white women! : )

[Teis9574]

@rokedetbamidbar Wikipedia = Known as a secure source for stabile facts...

Since when? Although I agree, I just wanted to point out the insecurity of a fact taken from wiki.

[rokedetbamidbar]

@Teis9574

Yes agreed.

I already knew a bit about the history of jazz and blues, way before the internet.

I guess one must question everything :)

[karrdrink]

"Honoring Our Elders'? Who are you including in"Our"? Also, whats with all the advertisements?

[parkbennink1]

that first passage he played just melted my freaking soul man

sound cheesy but y'all know what im talking about.

ARhhhhh Mr.Webster

[charmerci]

Snap! Snap! Teddy you slow down! LOL!

[maidoodesu]

The highest atmosphere!!!

[elmiradorr]

Alguien sabe cual es el nombre de este cd para poder comprarlo??? Y donde???

Gracias

[sacredlybreathing]

Webster. A jazz monument.

[quefarsa]

gracias.

[IndependentGeorge76]

just sublime music from the heart... RIP Johnny Hodges and Ben Webster...

There's a beatiful story in Ben Websters biography where he was chatting to some guy one night at a gig, and later found out the guy's young son was in an accident and had a brain injury, apparantly he turned up at the hospital out of the blue with a load of toys for the kid... says something about the man's soul...

[cartiergl]

sublime,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[elmiradorr]

La mejor version de Old folks que he escuchado jamás.

Vaya par Ben and Teddy.

[mrjb666]

Good Lord, what a beautiful performance! Did listening to Teddy Wilson make Ben Webster cry? Check him out right around 5:00 when the piano solo ends. I can understand if it did!

[garciagroup]

Ben Webster was crying because before the set, he was told that Johnny Hodges had died.

[redwaz]

Everybody Knows Johnny Hodges.

My first album

[drlluc]

@garciagroup is it true?

[watty62]

Happy 100th Birthday Ben for yesterday!

[gferrick]

Old Folks was written by Willard Robinson

[Alastair6]

Yeh man, that's the shit! Ben is the epitome of relaxed!

[BIOA108]

Awesome gig of one of the greatest !

[JorgeLMarquezsM]

'Old Folks' quise decir...

[JorgeLMarquezsM]

Creía que esta composición se llamaba 'Old Floks'...

[emmadet]

Ole Streenberg on drums

[jazzweather]

Why do you think Ben is crying?

[c4rv3r]

He had just learned that Johny Hodges died...

[jazzweather]

Thanks for the info. The way Ben expresses his emotions genuinely is beautiful.

[mitoteman]

Probably nostalgia - and he knows that he's there with one of the all-time  legendary pianists of the age. Wison was a classically trained pianist - a piano player - not a piano pounder , as so many are.

[IndependentGeorge76]

it really doesnt get any better than this, does it?

[afgan01]

not much better......i'm new to ben webster and i guess i'm better late than never

[jazzweather]

It could get better... but only by Ben though :)

[mitoteman]

Oh, come on - Lester Young? Stan Getz? Dexter Gordon.

[jazzweather]

Lester Young - Nope. Always had that light flirty don't care sound, I guess his style is very different from Ben's. Stan Getz - He could. But again lacked the intensity, more of a flirty light sound much like Lester. Dexter - If he tries real hard. Dexter is a little too harmonic than melodic, though he has played some fantastic ballads.

Ben - Had that intensity in sound. Like the sound comes from the bottom of his heart. And his style is mostly melodic, so its much easier to follow.

[blah148]

agreed

[dongpingog]

dam... i was born far too late....

this is really nice

[playtunes]

Thanks for posting ! Appreciate your generosity.

[melantoriano]

I love his tone on tenor sax. Listen his solo on "in a mellow tone" by Ella Fitzgerald...

[Jazzman555]

its actually by duke ellington

[melantoriano]

sure "In a mellow tone" by Ellington..but the version sing by Ella :-))

[kpg51876]

Are you talking about the one from Ben Webster and associates with lester young and coleman hawkins(among others)?

[melantoriano]

i'm talking about the one from:

Ella Fitzgerald (v)

Ben webster (ts)

Oscar Peterson (p)

Herb ellis (g)

Ray Brown (b)

Alvin Toller (d)

Performing "in a mellow tone" with a great Ben sax solo.

Bye

[IzzyIsou]

Sumthin' of beauty for all! Thanks for posting.

[nedroom]

man thats gorgeous! Thanks for posting.

But what is that music Teddy has on the piano? He didn't need any chart for 'Old Folks' ... but it actually looks like he's reading... hard to figure that...

[toddehill]

Lots of pros will use charts on a gig (particularly with new or unfamiliar members in the rhythm section just to make sure they are hitting al the changes together...I know I sure do!

[mpcguy]

jdh1969 it looks as though that may indeed be the case. it appears as though he's crying during the performance, sweat doesn't fall like that. most touching. the soft side of the the man nicknamed "the brute". great perfomance!!

[kjuergens1985]

What amazes me about Ben Webster is how moving his tone is. I don't know of anyone else whose tone could stand so much on its own.

[jdh1969]

Great sounds from a man who cared about music. I read the latest bio on Webster and it stated that during this taping, he shed tears of grief in response to just learning of the death of Johnny Hodges, his Ellington band mate and long time friend.

[Teis9574]

Is it Alex Riel on drums?

[redavide1]

A perfect gem -- could it be any better?

[Lomer192]

This is wonderful - two of my favourite musicians. Some of the modernists and young jazzers should listen to this and hear what it's all really about!

[Corrie121]

Can't get any better than this. This is sooo emotive. I just love it!

A million thanks for sharing this gem.

[aerofredywr]

Beautiful tune, great playing, plenty of emotion. I´m shaking.

[Hendrixfan112233]

I'm fairly new listening to jazz, but this has bowled me over. I've never heard anything so pure in my life. Thanks for putting his up

[GalWam]

amazing

[humanist7117]

Marvelous! Such passion.

[bluespuppet]

Finally, a real jazz treat by two legendary masters. Jazz doesn't get much better than this. What a pleasure watching Teddy and Ben play together. This is pure, undiluted jazz. Genius.

[me007963]

@bluespuppet two masters? I count 4! :)

Seriously though, this is one of the most touching things I have ever heard. It means something. I havent stopped listening to this today.

[danilomarrone]

@me007963 Too true! I was simply in awe of seeing footage of Ben and Teddy playing together. They are all true legends.

[191144y]

So Beautiful! One of our most soulful tenors. I know people who cry when they hear him. Old Folks! One of my favorites.

[MALOMAZU]

yes ! that's right. It's wonderful to see a big man like this (a monument) crying like this.

[Josezinhosinatra]

Is it truth that Webster played this one right after noticed Johnny Hodges Death?

Can you feel the spirits in this?

[fediya]

How some of us can reach such heights while some can descend so low? The genius of Ben and Teddy united joined in celebrating sadness without prozac.

[seanliu8888]

that is all about the music that coming from from a true jazz legend's deep heart!!

Ben, I love you!!! if possible, I would like to give up 10 years of my life for your life concert!!

[jincam1000]

wow!

ben webster! he is best!.

[daniellerose7]

Is Ben Webster crying after the piano solo??

[oemvsdark]

wow! check out all their expressions. Great shots of T Wilson's hands

[pinkieldred]

I wish I was articulate enough to express my true feelings...this is absolutely beautiful!

[dretety]

THIS IS A BETTER TRACK THAN THE OTHER...VIDEO WISE, BUT QUALITY AIN'T AS GOOD....

BEN "CLICKS" HIS FINGERS..SETS HIS TEMPO, THEN ... THEN ..MR.WILSON TAKES UP THE TUNE, see Webster.."frog...brute,," cry after Willons solo...

They say this was made JUST after hearing of Johnny Hodges death...1970.

ENJOY THE HEARTBREAK OF WEBSTERS TEARS.

[hitmanisback]

ben webster my view best and most lyricle sax player ever and ever will be......"there are only 2 ways to play a ballad ,slow and dead slow "....webster quote

[karch139]

Have three other versions of Ben doing this song, and they're all great. Safe to say he "owns" this one. Maybe the best ballad player in history, maybe better than even Coleman Hawkins. Wow, that's a tough one!

[mikeos1]

Is that a young NHO-P?

[louwfrode]

No it is not.

The actual baseplayer is: Hugo Rasmussen

[willyvallez]

The "clone" of NHOP ...

[jimlinks]

Great stuff. I was surprised to see Teddy look like he was reading his solo. He must have played "Old Folks" a million times. Never mind, it was just as good and spontaneous as could be. Thanks for this excellent video.

[charliew8fim]

Man! What a Video - What a player! I (blush) got out my tenor and played along. What a lesson! Webster has always been one of my favorites - and any tune by Willard Robison just makes the mix fantastic. Charlie aka Geezersax