Jazz Artist of the Week
Ben Webster "The Brute"

Ben Webster was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1909. He is considered one of the three most important "swing tenors" along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. Affectionately nicknamed "The Brute" because of his tough and raspy sound on up-tempo swing tunes, he could also play ballads beautifully. He played in the Duke Ellington band from 1935-1943. In the 1950's he recorded frequently with pianist Oscar Peterson and baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. In 1965, Webster moved permanently to Europe and continued to play until his death in 1973.