Two old time giants of the tenor saxophone play the classics of jazz. Coleman Hawkins is seen as the father of the tenor saxophone, but his trail was followed closely by Ben Webster. The album came out in 1957, at the height of their powers. upon hearing it, I was amazed with this recording. I am used to the complexities of Coltrane, and in comparison this is much smoother. It is nice jazz for late in the evening.
I’d like to have more of these records, so this will not be the last. This is a new release, presented in a beautiful gatefold on the Verve label. Interestingly, the two have one thing in common (apart from their instrument): they both played and toured for some years in Europe. The Hawk in the 30s, and also in the Netherlands, Webster in the 60s. In fact, Webster died in Amsterdam after he played at a concert in nearby Leyden, in 1973. He stipulated that after his death nobody was allowed to play his saxophone.