BOOKLET

 

reviewby Scott Yanow

Recorded early in tenor-saxophonist Ben Webster’s long European period, this quartet set (reissued on a Black Lion CD) features Webster with piansit Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pederson and drummer Alex Riel. The music is typical of the tenor’s repertoire of the period, mostly swing standards with a few medium-tempo romps sandwiched by warm ballad statements. Highlights include “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter,” “Sunday,” “Gone With The Wind” and “Over The Rainbow.”