Personnel: Ben Webster (saxophone, tenor saxophone, piano); Freddy Albeck, Matty Peters (vocals); Bjorn Jensen, Torben Munk, Ole Molin (guitar); Erling Christensen (strings, reeds, saxophone); Borge Madsen, Heige Willer-Nielsen, Hans Schwenger, Per Ludolph, Svend Blankholm, Holger Bjerre, H. Bjerregaard Jenssen, Mogens Holm Larsen, Svend Aage Andersen, Stanley Carlson, Anton Kontra, Aage Bertelsen, Ove Winther, Kurt J. Jensen, Finn Ziegler (strings); Bent Juul Nielsen, Jesper Thilo, Uffe Karskov, Flemming Madsen (reeds, saxophone); Sahib Shihab (reeds); Steen Vig (tenor saxophone); Clark Terry, Henry Henkel, Nuck Clayton, Svend Lundvig, Arne Ryskog, Arne Lamberth, Vagn Elsberg, Allan Botschinsky, Rolf Ericson, Palle Mikkelborg, Palle Bolvig, Perry Knudsen (trumpet); Poul Jorgensen, Per Espersen, Poul Kelg†rd, Helmuth Hjorth Hansen, Torolf Molg†rd, Ole Kurt Jensen, Axel Windfel (trombone); Bent Schj‘rff, Camille de Ceunynck, Lasse Sj”sten, Jimmy Rowles, Kenny Drew, Lars Sj”sten , Mike Renzi, Ole Kock Hansen, Stan Tracey, Teddy Wilson, Thomas Clausen, Atli Bjorn (piano); Bjarne Rostvold (drums, congas); Rune Carlsson, Joe Veletri, Ed Thigpen, Bobby Brooks , Leif Johansson, Charlie Pauvels, Makaya Ntshoko, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Alex Riel, Mel Lewis, William Schiopffe, Jackie Dougan (drums); John Steffensen (congas).
Liner Note Authors: Henrik Wolscaard-Iversen; Frank Bchmann Moller; Bent Kauling.
Recording information: 1959-1974.
Editors: Christian Brorsen; Henrik Wolscaard-Iversen.
Photographers: Ole Brask; Roger Kaysel; Jan Persson.
Arranger: Niels Jorgen Steen.
Tenor saxophonist Ben Webster was one of the most distinctive stylists in jazz history. A graduate of the Coleman Hawkins school, Webster upped the ante by having the biggest, breathiest, and most romantic sound around. In the early 1960's, Webster moved to Scandinavia where work (and respect) were more plentiful, and remained there until his death. The eight-CD DIG BEN! box collects the cream of a considerably large crop of Webster's European sides. There are lots of Duke Ellington classics (Webster was a member of Duke's early '40's orchestra), pages from the Great American Songbook ("Our Love Is Here To Stay," "Avalon"), and bebop ("Night In Tunisia"). His accompanists include many Brit and European greats (Stan Tracey, Alex Riel) as well as Americans (Mel Lewis, Clark Terry). Devotees of Webster and/or classic jazz will be in orbit over this set.
Professional Reviews
Down Beat (p.78) - 4.5 stars out of 5 -- "He reveals the deep creative energies to which such close friends as Hinton and Rex Stewart referred when reminiscing about Webster's curiosity and keen musical intelligence..."
