Ben Webster
Born:
03/27/1909
City:
Kansas City
Region:
MO
Country:
USA
Died:
09/20/1973
Years Active:
1925-1970's
Instruments:
Piano, Tenor Sax
Former Members:
Played With:
Recorded With:
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Benjamin Francis Webster, a.k.a. "The Brute" or "Frog," was an influential American jazz tenor saxophonist. He was considered one of the three most important "swing tenors" along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. Known affectionately as "The Brute", he had a tough, raspy, and brutal tone on stomps (with his own distinctive growls), yet on ballads he played with warmth and sentiment. Stylistically he was indebted to alto star Johnny Hodges, who, he said, taught him to play his instrument.
