Correspondence: The Spirit of Ben Webster

Hello Mr. Ramsey,

I'm a new reader to the blog, but I really do like it. I know this post is old, but being a professional saxophonist, I do have a view I want to share on this.

I have found in my experience with fellow musicians that often times the "breathiness" that Ben Webster often used, these days is derided as a flaw in one's tone. It seems the ideal sound these days is a solid-core sound that possesses none of the airiness of Mr. Webster's sound. Personally, I am a huge fan of his tone (as any saxophonist would say) and often emulate it(or try to) on gigs when the situation calls for it. However, most often in modern saxophone playing the facet of his tone that is most emulated is the broadness and depth of his sound, the "sweeping" quality that he has, particularly on ballads. Listen to James Carter or "Trio Jeepy"-era Branford Marsalis for a good example of this.

I wonder if this modern negative view of the "breathy" sound is partly due to modern recording techniques. Modern listeners (including musicians) are accustomed to the more modern tones that came in vogue post-Trane and I would dare say that none of the well-known modern saxophonists employ this particular aspect of Mr. Webster's tone that the listener finds offensive. Often times things like airiness sound like flaws on a modern recording because the other instruments in the ensemble sound so pristine and crystal clear. EVERYONE sounded messed up on those old 45s!!! The technology available altered the sound of every instrument so something like Mr. Webster's "breathiness" didn't sound all that out of context. These days you have basses going direct to a board, drummers isolated in rooms with a mic on every head, and pianos that are isolated and then run through some sort of filter. How can a breathy saxophonist possibly sound compatible to that???

I love his sound, but I can understand why many new listeners today can't accept it.

Ben Webster With Strings - one of my favourite albums.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMusic-Loving-Ben-Webster-Strings%2Fdp%2FB000001EF3&tag=rifftidougram-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

Kenny Harris
Bermuda

(Mine, too -- DR)

I see my friend Phil Dwyer's comment below. For those who don't know Phil, you should. Click on his name, which is a link to his website, and search out his music.

He is an enormously gifted musician, as a reed player, pianist, composer and arranger. He knows the history of the music, is very much in the present, and should be a great part of the future. He's as damn close to genius as I've ever met. (And he has a beautiful family, too).

Not to do with Ben Webster exactly, but perhaps his most notable replacement in the band Paul Gonsalves. When I got my first record with Paul on it (a great album called Everybody Knows Johnny Hodges) I figured there was something wrong with his horn because there was so much air in the sound. I went on to become a huge fan of Paul's, but it's funny how first impressions work.

From a Webster nut -- couldn't resist sharing Ben Webster's rendition of Ellington's "Come Sunday". His music and abstract art become one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBVIFwdwcmo

Great Wilson/Webster video; I've already forwarded it to friends of mine.
As far as the Webster/Mulligan set, it's essential in my opinion, and if you're a Webster nut and a completist, as I am, this -- http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Gerry-Mulligan-Meets-Webster/dp/B0000047G0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1209012416&sr=1-1 -- is the same set, in 2 CDs, with all the alternate takes and some hilarious between-tunes studio chatter.