Ben Webster had long before passed through the ranks of imitator, then pupil and finally master. His “college attendance,” as one might put it, in the Duke Ellington Orchestra gave him a sureness of expression in his great showpieces and he also learned to hold his own against such musical giants as Paul Gonsalves and Jimmy Hamilton. “Hawk” was able to thoroughly enjoy his fame in numerous Jazz At The Philharmonic concerts given all over the world, where, of course, he had to assert himself against many other saxophone players. Two such JATP ensembles are to be found on the Confrères LP. The relaxed atmosphere is particularly noticeable in the title “Sunday” in which Roy Eldridge comes into the limelight with a brilliant solo. And just listen to George Buvivier’s marvelous bass playing (in “Nabab!”) where he certainly has no reason to hide in the shadow thrown by Ray Brown. Coleman Hawkins’ voluminous, supple sound which had a great influence on the styles of musicians ranging from Dexter Gordon and Sonny Rollins up to Joe Lovano, is best heard after Roy’s solo in “Honey Flower.”
Originally released in 1958.
Coleman Hawkins, tenor saxophone
Ray Brown, bass
George Duvivier, bass
Roy Eldridge, trumpet
Herb Ellis, guitar
Hank Jones, piano
Oscar Peterson, piano
Mickey Sheen, drums
Alvin Stoller, drums
Ben Webster, tenor saxophone