Ben Op Zijn Best

Ben Webster was from Kansas City, Missouri. He played with Duke Ellington, Lester Young, Count Basie, Hot Lips Page, Benny Carter, Cab Calloway, and Teddy Wilson. In 1964 he moved to Europe. He lived in London and several locations in Scandinavia for one year, followed by three years in Amsterdam, and made his last home in Copenhagen in 1969. In 1971, Webster reunited with Duke Ellington and his orchestra for a couple of shows at the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.

Webster suffered a stroke in Amsterdam in September 1973, following a performance at the Twee Spieghels in Leiden, and died on September 20. His ashes were buried in Copenhagen.

“Ben Op Zijn Best” was recorded on the 5th of August 1970 in Laren, The Netherlands. Great copy!