1953 · Album
King of the Tenors
Recorded 1953 · Norgran · Reissued: 1957 on Verve Records
Ben Webster's Tender Mastery in the Studio
Webster's solos carry a freshness and vitality that still sounds alive today, more than seventy years later.
King of the Tenors captures Ben Webster in a relaxed, confident moment with the Oscar Peterson Trio, backed on several tracks by Benny Carter and Harry Edison. These sessions from 1953 were originally released under a different title before Verve reissued them in 1957 with the name we know now. The album works because Webster knows exactly what he wants to say and says it without strain. He's not trying to prove anything here—just playing with musicians who understand the language.
The standout tracks show Webster's range without any sense of showing off. Take 'Tenderly': Webster makes the ballad his own, finding space and breath in the melody in a way that feels personal rather than arranged. On 'That's All' he's equally convincing. The faster pieces like 'Jive at Six' let him and the rhythm section trade energy back and forth, and the playing stays loose and inventive. Reviewer Ron Wynn at AllMusic heard what matters here—calling it "a series of elegant yet soulful and exuberant small group dates." The Penguin Guide to Jazz, giving the album their top rating, singled out these same tracks, noting that 'Tenderly' has rarely sounded more tender and 'That's All' is simply gorgeous.
This isn't Webster's most celebrated work—that honor goes to his ballad albums and his recordings from earlier in his career. But it's a solid, straightforward session with no dead weight. If you want to hear Webster playing with real musicians in a real room, without studio gimmicks, this delivers. The Peterson Trio provides steady, swinging support, and the horn guests add color without taking over. It's the kind of album that rewards repeated listening because there's genuine musicianship at work throughout.
Who's playing
Ray Browndouble bass
Oscar Petersonpiano
Barney Kesselguitar
Herb Ellisguitar
Benny Carteralto saxophone
Ben Webstertenor saxophone
Harry “Sweets” Edisontrumpet
J.C. Hearddrums
Alvin Stollerdrums
Where next?
More by Ben Webster
Coleman Hawkins encounters Ben Webster 1959
The Tatum Group Masterpieces 1958
At the Renaissance 1960
Soulmates 1963
The musicians on this record
Oscar Peterson Plays Count Basie 1956
Oscar Peterson
plays piano here
plays piano here
This One's for Blanton! 1975
Ray Brown
plays double bass here
plays double bass here
Hello Herbie 1970
Herb Ellis
plays guitar here
plays guitar here
Barney Kessel, Volume 3: "To Swing or Not to Swing" 1955
Barney Kessel
plays guitar here
plays guitar here
