Ben Webster, Don Byas - Ben Webster Meets Don Byas

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:55
Size: 85,0 MB
Art: Front

(7:04)  1. Blues for Dottie Mae
(5:46)  2. Lullaby to Dottie Mae
(6:08)  3. Sunday
(5:47)  4. Perdido
(3:00)  5. When Ash Meets Henry
(9:07)  6. Caravan

This early-'70s meeting between two giants of the tenor sax (both of whom by this time were living in Europe on a permanent basis) is full of memorable moments. The styles of Ben Webster and Don Byas provide a distinct contrast (though Byas was also a swing-influenced saxophonist, he was heavily into bop as well), yet they mesh very well together. On their opening improvised "Blues for Dottie Mae," Webster's big toned swing tends to dominate, though Byas' boppish lines dart around at lightning speeds; Tete Montoliu's bluesy piano provides the perfect support. The roles are evened out a bit more on a swinging take of "Sunday." The evenly matched tenor battle continues with a rousing "Perdido" and very swinging "Caravan." Bassist Peter Trunk introduces Byas' "Lullaby to Dottie Mae," an easygoing reworking of the timeless ballad "Body and Soul," which features a rapid-fire solo by Byas. Webster's turn in the solo spotlight is his own ballad "When Ash Meets Henry," in which he is accompanied only by Trunk's well chosen basslines. Also present on the date is drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. Sadly, this LP was a bit of a swan song for both tenor saxophonists; Byas died in the year prior to its 1973 release, while Webster died the following year, though he taped at least one more album following this one. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/ben-meets-don-byas-mw0000188808

Personnel:  Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster, Don Byas; Bass – Peter Trunk; Drums – Albert Heath; Piano – Tete Montoliu

Ben Webster Meets Don Byas

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