The Soul of Ben Webster (Verve Records MGVS6124) was one of only two collaborations between Webster and trumpeter Art Farmer (the other one was an album led by guitarist Mundell Lowe - who also plays here - with selections from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess recorded the same month as the present LP).
Although both Webster and Harold Ashby were long-time members of the Duke Ellington band, this is their only existing recording together. Two complete sessions featuring Webster with pianist Teddy Wilson, as well as a 1954 reading of Billy Strayhorn’s wonderful ballad “Chelsea Bridge” (also included on The Soul of Ben Webster) have been added as a bonus.
BEN WEBSTER, tenor sax ART FARMER, trumpet HAROLD ASHBY, tenor sax JIMMY JONES, piano MUNDELL LOWE, guitar MILT HINTON, bass DAVE BAILEY, drums New York, July 1958.
*BONUS TRACKS (8-16): Ben Webster (ts) with Tony Scott (cl), Teddy Wilson, Billy Strayhorn (p), Ray Brown (b), Jo Jones, Louis Bellson (d), among others.
New York, 1954-55. All original sessions produced by Norman Granz.
