Ben Webster - Ben Webster Plays Duke Ellington (2018) [DSD128]

This album is a collection of classic melodies from the repertoire of Ben Webster’s famous employer of many years, Duke Ellington. The album is compromised of three live radio sessions with the Danish Radio Big Band In 1969 & 1971, plus three live concert sessions with three different backing-trios (Finland in 1967, Denmark in 1969 and Sweden in 1972). Two of the tracks – with Clark Terry, Kenny Drew, Red Mitchell and Bobby Brooks – are previously unissued. Aside from one tune. All the performances with the Danish Radio Big Band are Based on Ellington’s original scores. The quartet sessions are also great, including two “reunions” – one with Ben’s boss from the early 30’s, Teddy Wilson, and the other with fellow Ellington alumnus Clark Terry. That Ben Webster was one of the undisputed jazz-greats on the tenor saxophone- both in a big band and small group context – is amply demonstrated on this fine recordings.