What do you think?
Rate this book
Someone to Watch over Me: The Life And Music of Ben Webster
For a half century, Ben Webster, one of the "big three" of swing tenors--along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young--was one of the best-known and most popular saxophonists.
Early in his career, Webster worked with many of the greatest orchestras of the time, including those led by Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway, Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Andy Kirk, Bennie Moten, and Teddy Wilson. In 1940 Webster became Duke Ellington's first major tenor soloist, and during the next three years he played on many famous recordings, including "Cotton Tail."
Someone to Watch Over Me tells, for the first time, the complete story of Ben Webster's brilliant and troubled career. For this comprehensive study of Webster, author Frank Büchmann-Møller interviewed more than fifty people in the United States and Europe, and he includes numerous translated excerpts from European periodicals and newspapers, none previously available in English. In addition, the author studies every known Webster recording and film, including many private recordings from Webster's home collection not available to the public.
Exhaustively researched, this is a much needed and long overdue study of the life and music of one of jazz's most important artists.
Early in his career, Webster worked with many of the greatest orchestras of the time, including those led by Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway, Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Andy Kirk, Bennie Moten, and Teddy Wilson. In 1940 Webster became Duke Ellington's first major tenor soloist, and during the next three years he played on many famous recordings, including "Cotton Tail."
Someone to Watch Over Me tells, for the first time, the complete story of Ben Webster's brilliant and troubled career. For this comprehensive study of Webster, author Frank Büchmann-Møller interviewed more than fifty people in the United States and Europe, and he includes numerous translated excerpts from European periodicals and newspapers, none previously available in English. In addition, the author studies every known Webster recording and film, including many private recordings from Webster's home collection not available to the public.
Exhaustively researched, this is a much needed and long overdue study of the life and music of one of jazz's most important artists.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2006
35 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 14, 2018
This is the finest book written about a jazz artist that I have come across. When I think of tenor sax it is Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. What a time! This book provides exceptional detail on the life of Ben Webster, his peers, his development as a musician and a human being. As a tenor player influenced by Webster's sound and style, I found it amazing to read about the finer aspects of his solos, his instrument and his mindset.
In particular, his Denmark period in later life was touching. He had many Danish and European friends who stuck by him through thick and thin. His longstanding friendships with American jazz artists and their deep respect for his gifts as well as their empathy for his shortcomings was revealing. I only wish that when I met with Roy Eldridge at Jimmy Ryan's in NYC in the 70's I had asked about his thoughts and feelings about Ben. A missed opportunity.
The author, Frank Buchmann-Moller, clearly researched Ben's life and period as shown in the excellent references and discography. Thankfully, there is a lot of Ben's music available on YouTube.
In particular, his Denmark period in later life was touching. He had many Danish and European friends who stuck by him through thick and thin. His longstanding friendships with American jazz artists and their deep respect for his gifts as well as their empathy for his shortcomings was revealing. I only wish that when I met with Roy Eldridge at Jimmy Ryan's in NYC in the 70's I had asked about his thoughts and feelings about Ben. A missed opportunity.
The author, Frank Buchmann-Moller, clearly researched Ben's life and period as shown in the excellent references and discography. Thankfully, there is a lot of Ben's music available on YouTube.
July 28, 2024
“Hi Mary—
How are you my love? I hope O.K.
I’ve seen quite a few cats over here from the States and it sure was a real pleasure. However, some of my old buddies that I was raised up with can’t come, and I would really like to see, and chew the fat with them.
I had the chance to play with Benny “The King” Carter here in Copenhagen for three days, in the Montmartre, and two days in Paris. “What a thrill.” He knows so much music, and he is the only person that I get the shakes trying to play my horn behind or with him (smile) however it was a ball.
I lost my “medal” you had blessed for me somewhere between Paris and Copenhagen, and I’m afraid to be without it. So, if you can, please send me another one, soon I hope. So far I’ve heard nothing but sh-t, where in hell has swing gone to? So disgusting. Please say hello to Milt Hinton and the gang.
Take care
I’ll always love you
Sincerely
Ben
P.S I’ve never forgotten what you showed me on the piano.”
How are you my love? I hope O.K.
I’ve seen quite a few cats over here from the States and it sure was a real pleasure. However, some of my old buddies that I was raised up with can’t come, and I would really like to see, and chew the fat with them.
I had the chance to play with Benny “The King” Carter here in Copenhagen for three days, in the Montmartre, and two days in Paris. “What a thrill.” He knows so much music, and he is the only person that I get the shakes trying to play my horn behind or with him (smile) however it was a ball.
I lost my “medal” you had blessed for me somewhere between Paris and Copenhagen, and I’m afraid to be without it. So, if you can, please send me another one, soon I hope. So far I’ve heard nothing but sh-t, where in hell has swing gone to? So disgusting. Please say hello to Milt Hinton and the gang.
Take care
I’ll always love you
Sincerely
Ben
P.S I’ve never forgotten what you showed me on the piano.”
January 4, 2019
This is not at all a general audience book. It's probably great for those studying this era of music, or Ben Webster specifically, particularly if they are interested in the specifics of musical growth. For someone with a passing non-academic interest in Webster, this is probably a little too heavy on the music detail and light on information about the person.
Read
December 4, 2008Winner of the 2007 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Certificate of Merit for Best Research in Recorded Jazz Music
The definitive biography of the great tenor saxophonist Ben Webster.
For a half century, Ben Webster, one of the "big three" of swing tenors—along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young—was one of the best-known and most popular saxophonists.
Early in his career, Webster worked with many of the greatest orchestras of the time, including those led by Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway, Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Andy Kirk, Bennie Moten, and Teddy Wilson. In 1940 Webster became Duke Ellington's first major tenor soloist, and during the next three years he played on many famous recordings, including "Cotton Tail."
Someone to Watch Over Me tells, for the first time, the complete story of Ben Webster's brilliant and troubled career. For this comprehensive study of Webster, author Frank Büchmann-Møller interviewed more than fifty people in the United States and Europe, and he includes numerous translated excerpts from European periodicals and newspapers, none previously available in English. In addition, the author studies every known Webster recording and film, including many private recordings from Webster's home collection not available to the public.
Exhaustively researched, this is a much needed and long overdue study of the life and music of one of jazz's most important artists.
The definitive biography of the great tenor saxophonist Ben Webster.
For a half century, Ben Webster, one of the "big three" of swing tenors—along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young—was one of the best-known and most popular saxophonists.
Early in his career, Webster worked with many of the greatest orchestras of the time, including those led by Willie Bryant, Cab Calloway, Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Andy Kirk, Bennie Moten, and Teddy Wilson. In 1940 Webster became Duke Ellington's first major tenor soloist, and during the next three years he played on many famous recordings, including "Cotton Tail."
Someone to Watch Over Me tells, for the first time, the complete story of Ben Webster's brilliant and troubled career. For this comprehensive study of Webster, author Frank Büchmann-Møller interviewed more than fifty people in the United States and Europe, and he includes numerous translated excerpts from European periodicals and newspapers, none previously available in English. In addition, the author studies every known Webster recording and film, including many private recordings from Webster's home collection not available to the public.
Exhaustively researched, this is a much needed and long overdue study of the life and music of one of jazz's most important artists.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews