On October 16, 1957, one of many nice studio periods of the last decade passed off in Capitol’s well-known studios in Hollywood. The good tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins spent a lot of the day and night within the studios recording two separate albums with producer Norman Granz for Verve Information: The Genius Of Coleman Hawkins and Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster.
The 52-year-old Hawkins was there, working with pianist Oscar Peterson’s common trio of Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), and drummer Alvin Stoller. The musicians recorded twelve songs that had been launched within the aptly named The Genius Of Coleman Hawkins.
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Among the many standouts from the session of requirements are Duke Ellington’s “In A Mellow Tone” and “My Melancholy Baby” which have Hawk in advantageous type that leaves you feeling all heat inside and a smile in your face. There could also be one too many gradual numbers on this album, however the relaxed really feel is one among its strengths — the form of album to play somebody who will not be positive in the event that they’re too eager on jazz.
Miles Davis as soon as mentioned, “When I heard Hawk, I learned to play ballads.” Take heed to The Genius Of Coleman Hawkins and you’ll perceive what he was getting at.
By the night, Hawk and the opposite musicians had been joined by 48-year-old Ben Webster, and the end result was Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster. It’s a jazz masterclass. All seven numbers are requirements, however that is no mere run by of tried and examined songs — these are a number of the most lovely variations of those songs ever dedicated to vinyl.
“Blues for Yolande” has the 2 tenor gamers battling it out on a shuffle with Hawkins screaming by his horn, whereas Webster is extra plaintive in response. The document consists of a number of the most lovely ballad-playing of their lengthy and fruitful careers, together with “It Never Entered My Mind” and “Prisoner of Love.” Hawkins is the gruffer of the 2, whereas Webster floats in such a beguiling means.
“You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To” swings laborious, and it’s nearly unimaginable to not faucet your toes whereas listening, which additionally reveals why Peterson’s trio was so in demand as accompanists. They’re ever-present, offering the right platform for 2 jazz giants to weave the magic round.
This relaxed, delicate masterpiece is stuffed with lyricism and heat, each options which are to be discovered all too hardly ever in trendy jazz with the emphasis will be on concord and complexity. Hawkins & Webster show that they’re masters of their craft and giants of the tenor saxophone.
If The Genius Of Coleman Hawkins was the hors d’oeuvre, then Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster is the primary course — and one which needs to be in each jazz lover’s assortment.
Order Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster on vinyl now.
