Ben Webster - Art Tatum Quartet [Bonus Tracks]

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ONE OF THE BEST JAZZ ALBUMS EVER! The complete LP The Art Tatum-Ben Webster Quartet (Verve MGV-8220), as well as all known alternate takes from that glorious session. The date marked Tatum's last visit to a recording studio, for he died less than two months after these tracks were made. A complete quartet session by Webster with another celebrated pianist, Teddy Wilson, and a beautiful Tatum solo piano rendition of the LP's opening song have been added as a bonus.
Includes 12-page booklet

***** DOWN BEAT original review: THE ART TATUM-BEN WEBSTER QUARTET
"The air of reflection and utterly relaxed poise in the playing of Tatum and Webster permeates the entire album. The glorious Webster tone is soul-filling throughout, as is his maturity of conception, whether on very slow ballad or on a swinger." (John A. Tynan)

This is nearly the only existing collaboration between Art Tatum and Ben Webster. Their only other recordings together consist of four short tunes from the radio show "The New World A-Coming", Program #17, recorded in New York on June 25, 1944. However, even though both Tatum and Webster are present on the radio show, the music it yielded doesn't even begin to display the magic that they would create a dozen years later for their lone studio session on September 11, 1956. We are deeply indebted to Norman Granz, who was responsible for this session taking place. At the beginning of the 1950s, Tatum's music style was beginning to be considered a bit outdated compared to the sound of Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk and the rest of the modern players. Thus, it was more difficult for him to find record contracts. Granz sought to rectify this gross oversight by offering Tatum the opportunity to record extensive sessions, both as a solo pianist and in the company of other outstanding jazz figures like Benny Carter, Lionel Hampton, Buddy DeFranco, Buddy Rich and, of course, the great Ben Webster. "I think", Granz wrote, "if I am ever remembered for any meaningful contribution to jazz it was presenting permanently for the future the incredible artistry of the greatest instrumental soloist in the history of jazz, Art Tatum". And from the amazingly extensive body of Granz-Tatum tapes, the session with Ben Webster was perhaps the highest point.