appendix: ben webster's musical activities

APPENDIX: BEN WEBSTER’S MUSICAL ACTIV IT IES

LLiisstt ooff jjoobbss,, eennggaaggeemmeennttss,, aanndd rreeccoorrddiinngg sseessssiioonnss

Information listed here is not complete, of course. It is derived from varioussources, among others Down Beat, New Amsterdam News, Chicago Defender, Pitts-burgh Courier, Metronome, Jazz Journal, Jazz Monthly, Melody Maker, Jazz Maga-zine (Paris), Jazz Podium, Orkester Journalen, Variety, Billboard, local newspapers,programs from Jazzhus Montmartre (Copenhagen), and also from interviews. Tofill the gaps I borrowed some data from Walter C. Allen, Hendersonia (Allen, 1973),Count Basie and Albert Murray, Good Morning Blues (Random House, 1985), KlausStratemann, Duke Ellington: Day by Day and Film by Film (JazzMedia, 1992) sup-plemented with new research by Kenneth R. Steiner, and Franz Hoffmann’s mosthelpful compilations of Jazz Advertised in the Negro Press, 1910-1967 (Hoffmann,1980–89) and Jazz Reviewed, 1910–50 (Hoffmann, 1995).

“Also” in the date column means that Webster, in addition to the given range ofdates, also played another activity, e.g., a recording session.

Ca. 1925–27 Odd jobs in Kansas City with his own small band,Rooster Ben and His Little Red Hens, and playingpiano in clubs and silent movie theaters

Ca. 1927–28 Brethro Nelson and His OrchestraTours through Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas

Ca. 1928–29 Dutch Campbell and His Sugar StompersTours through Texas

Winter–spring 1929 Amarillo, TX, playing piano in a silent movie theaterSummer–autumn 1929 Billy Young and His Family BandSummer Albuquerque, NM Plays alto saxophoneAutumn Phoenix, AZ East Lake ParkAutumn 1929–late 1930 Gene Coy and His Original Black Aces

Oklahoma City, OK, Market Square GardenShifts to tenor saxophone

Late 1930–Feb. 1931 Jap Allen and His OrchestraKansas City, MO

January–February 1931 Tour through South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska to Tulsa,OK

February 1931 Booker Pittman and His OrchestraTour from Tulsa, OK to Kansas City, MO

Feb.–March 1931 Edgar Battle and His OrchestraPhiladelphia, PA Pearl Theatre

i

Someone to Watch Over Me: The Life and Music of Ben Webster Frank Büchmann-Møller http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=86405 The University of Michigan Press, 2006

March 1931–ca. Nov. 1931 Blanche Calloway and Her OrchestraMarch 27 Camden, NJ recording sessionApril 4–10 New York City Lafayette TheatreApril 18–24 Washington, DC Howard TheatreApril 25–May 1 Baltimore, MD Royal TheatreMay 8 Camden, NJ recording sessionJune 11 Camden, NJ recording sessionJuly–August New York City odd jobs in HarlemSeptember–October Tour through Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey,

New England, Virginia, West Virginia, OhioSeptember 19–25 Philadelphia, PA Pearl TheatreOctober 8–14 Kansas City, MO Paseo HallOctober 15 Baltimore, MD Masonic AuditoriumCa. October 16 Richmond, VACa. October 18 Washington, DCCa. October 19 Harrisburg, PAOctober 20 Pittsburgh, PA Pythian TempleCa.October 22 Orange, NJCa. October 24 Wheeling, WVCa. October 26 Cincinnati, OHCa. November 1931– Bennie Moten and His Orchestra

ca. December 22. 1932November 1–6 New York City Lafayette TheatreNovember 7–13 Philadelphia, PA Pearl TheatreNovember 14–20 Washington, DC Howard TheatreDecember 12–18 New York, NY Lafayette Theatre

Wilmington, DEPhiladelphia, PA

January 29– Chicago, IL Balaban & Katz ca. February 12, 1932 Public Theatre

March 7 Kansas City, MO Paseo Hall6 weeks tour to the South, including

Joplin, MOFort Smith, ARPine Stuff, AR

April 11 Memphis, TN Bryant CasinoApril 15 Oklahoma City, OK Forest Park

Shreveport, LAVicksburg, MSGalveston, TXHouston, TXSan Antonio, TX

April 25 Kansas City, MO Labor TempleAustin, TXWaco, TXFort Worth, TX

3 weeks Beaumont, TX Cinderella Ballroom

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S ii


May 15 Indianapolis, INLouisville, KYCincinnati, OH

2 weeks Coney Island, NY4 weeks Tour of New EnglandJune 26 Pittsburgh, PA Harmarville ParkJune 27 Pittsburgh, PA Pythian Temple

Detroit, MI Graystone BallroomBowling Green, KYHopkinsville, KY

September 10–16 Cincinnati, OH Graystone BallroomOctober Columbus, OHEarly December Philadelphia, PA Pearl TheatreDecember 13 Camden, NJ recording session

Richmond, VANewport News, VAZanesville, OHColumbus, OH

January 1933 Kansas City, MO Sunset CaféJanuary 1933–July 1934 Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of JoyJanuary 23–February 18 Denver, COFebruary 20 Oklahoma City, OK Slaughter’s HallFebruary 21 Fort Smith, OKFebruary 24–26 Tulsa, OKFebruary 27–April 23 Tour through Louisiana and Florida to

Kansas City, MOMarch 12 Oklahoma City, OKMay–September Kansas City, MO Fairyland ParkAlso December 18 Kansas City, MO Cherry Blosson, jam sessionJuly 1934–December 1934 Fletcher Henderson and His OrchestraJuly 14–20 New York, NY Savoy BallroomAugust 26–31 New York, NY Harlem Opera HouseSeptember 1–7 Montreal, QC, Canada Palais d’OrSeptember 11 New York, NY recording sessionSeptember 12 New York, NY recording sessionSeptember 15–21 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln TheatreSeptember 22–28 New York, NY Roseland BallroomAlso September 25 New York, NY recording sessionOctober 1 Pittsburgh, PA Savoy BallromOctober 2–29 Cleveland, OH Cotton ClubNovember 5–11 Detroit, MI Graystone BallromNovember 1934– Benny Carter and His Orchestra

January 1935November 16–22 New York, NY Apollo TheatreNovember 28 Detroit, MI Arcadia BallroomDecember 13 New York, NY recording sessionDecember 31 Webster Hall

iii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=86405

February–August 1935 Willie Bryant and His OrchestraFebruary 1–7 New York, NY Harlem Opera HouseAlso February 25 New York, NY recording session with

Bob HowardMarch 2 Trenton, NJ Elk’s HallMarch 3–9 New York, NY Apollo TheatreMarch 15–21 New York, NY Apollo TheatreMarch 24–April 20 Buffalo, NY Vendome Hotelca. early May New York, NY Roseland BallroomMay 8 New York, NY recording sessionJune Tour through the Middle WestJune 21–27 New York, NY Apollo TheatreAlso July 2 New York, NY recording session with

Teddy Wilson/Billie Holiday

Also July 31 New York, NY recording session withTeddy Wilson/Billie Holiday

August 1 New York, NY recording sessionAugust 2–8 New York, NY Apollo TheatreAugust–early September Duke Ellington and His OrchestraAugust 19 New York, NY recording sessionAugust 20 Pittsburgh, PA Sky ClubAugust 26–31 Indianapolis, IN Lyric TheatreSeptember 1 Pittsburgh, PA Savoy BallroomSeptember 2 Atlantic City, NJ Convention HallSeptember 1935– Cab Calloway and His Orchestra

ca. July 24, 1937September Toronto, ON, Canada

Chicago, ILOctober 18–24 Detroit, MI Fox TheatreOctober–November Hollywood, CANovember 5–11 San Diego, CA San Diego Fair ExpositionDecember 9–15 San Francisco, CA Persian GardensDecember 29, 1935– Culver City, CA Frank Sebastian’s January 11, 1936 Cotton ClubJanuary 12 Hollywood, CA filming of The Singing

Kid beginsJanuary 25 Los Angeles, CA Al Jolson Shell

Chateau radio showJanuary 27 Los Angeles, CA recording sessionFebruary 2 tour towards the East Coast beginsFebruary 7 Indianapolis, IN Loew’s State TheatreFebruary Chicago, ILApril 10–16 New York, NY Apollo TheatreApril 18 New York, NY New TheatreMay 21 New York, NY recording session

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S iv


May Boston, MAJune–July Tour to Texas

Memphis, TNAtlanta, GA

June 28 New Orleans, LA The FairgroundJuly 9 Johnson City, TNJuly 24–30 New York, NY Loew’s State TheatreJuly 10 Johnson City, TN Tobacco WarehouseAlso July 29 New York, NY recording session with

Duke EllingtonAugust 7–13 New York, NY Loew’s State TheatreAugust 14–20 New York, NY Apollo TheatreAugust 28–Septembe 2 Palisades Park, NJ Palisades Amusement ParkSeptember 3 New York, NY Os-We-Go ClubSeptember 15 New York, NY recording sessionSeptember 24, 1936– New York, NY Cotton Club

March 16, 1937Also October 21 New York, NY recording session

with Teddy Wilson/Billie Holiday

Also October 28 New York, NY recording sessionwith Teddy Wilson/Billie Holiday

Also November 9 New York, NY recording session with Mildred Bailey

Also November 19 New York, NY recording session with Teddy Wilson/Billie Holiday

Also November 25 New York, NY Rockland PalaceAlso December 16 New York, NY recording session with

Teddy WilsonAlso January 6, 1937 New York, NY radio broadcast with

Stuff SmithAlso January 8 New York, NY radio broadcast with


Stuff SmithAlso January 12 New York, NY recording session with

Billie HolidayAlso January 13 New York, NY radio broadcast with




Stuff Smith

v Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


Also January 22 New York, NY radio broadcast withStuff Smith

Also January 25 New York, NY radio broadcast with Stuff Smith

Also January 27 New York, NY recording session with Haven Johnson

Also January 29 New York, NY radio broadcast with Stuff Smith

Also February 5 New York, NY radio broadcast with Stuff Smith



Also March 3 New York, NY recording session Also March 17 New York, NY radio broadcast with

Teddy WilsonAlso spring New York, NY radio broadcast with

Teddy WilsonSpring New York, NY Hi-De-Ho movie

soundtrack recordingsession

March 18–24 Boston, MA RKO TheatreMarch 26–April 1 New York, NY Apollo TheatreApril 2–8 Philadelphia, PA Earle’s TheatreApril 9–21 Washington, DC Loew’s Capitol TheatreApril 22–29 New York, NY Loew’s State TheatreApril 30–May 6 Montreal, QC, Canada Loew’s State TheatreMay 7–13 Toronto, ON, Canada Shea’s TheatreMay 14–20 Detroit, MI Fox TheatreMay 21–27 Cleveland, OH Palace TheatreMay 28–June 3 Chicago, IL Palace TheatreJune 4–17 Kansas City, MO Mainstreet TheatreJune 18–24 St. Paul, MN Orpheum TheatreJune 25 Chicago, IL Savoy BallroomJune 30 Chicago, IL 8th Regiment ArmoryCa. July 16–24 Cleveland, OH Palace TheatreCa. July 25, 1937– Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra

May 10, 1938 Ca. July 25–August 18 Chicago, IL Grand TerraceAugust 20 Gary, INAugust 21 Rochester, INAugust 22 St. Mary’s, OHAugust 23 Cleveland, OHAugust 24 Niles, MI Reid’s CasinoAugust 25 Louisville, KYAugust 27 Indianapolis, IN Tomlinson Hall

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S vi


August 28 Dayton, OHAugust 29 Buckeye Lake, OHAugust 30 Detroit, MI Graystone BallroomSeptember Nashville, TNSeptember Baltimore, MDSeptember Richmond, VASeptember 22 New York, NY recording sessionSeptember 30–October 6 New York, NY Loew’s State TheatreOctober 7–13 New York, NY Roseland BallroomOctober 25 New York, NY recording sessionOctober 29–November 4 New York, NY Apollo TheatreNovember Tour to Baltimore, MD, Detroit, MI, and TexasDecember 9 Los Angeles, CA Shrine AuditoriumDecember 11, 1937– Los Angeles, CA Vogue Ballroom

January 12, 1938January Portland, OR Uptown BallroomJanuary 27–February 4 Seattle, WA Trianon BallroomEarly February One-nighters through California to Palo Alto,

Oakland, Bakersfield, San DiegoFebruary 17 Los Angeles, CA Elks BallroomFebruary 18– One-nighters through Arizona, New Mexico,

March 7 Texas, OklahomaMarch 8 Texarkana, TXMarch 18 Tulsa, OK Crystal BallroomLate March Lincoln, NE King’s BallroomApril 2 Kansas City, MO Pla-Mor BallroomApril 4 Little Rock, ARApril 9 Centralia, IL Elks HallApril 10 Bend, IL Coliseum BallroomMid-April Memphis, TNMid-April Cincinnati, OH Topper Tern TavernMid-April Minneapolis, MN Marigold BallroomLate April Ann Arbor, MIApril 26 Hibbing, MNApril 30 Green Bay, WI Riverside BallroomMay 1 Detroit, MI Graystone BallroomEarly May Madison, WIEarly May Indianapolis, INMay 12–ca. May 20 Chicago, IL Grand TerraceLate May–June Stuff Smith and His Onyx Club BoysLate May–June New York, NY Onyx ClubAlso May 29 New York, NY Randall’s Island Stadium

“Swing Festival”July 29 New York, NY recording session with

Teddy WilsonAugust–October Roy Eldridge and His OrchestraAugust 6–September 2 New York, NY Savoy Ballrom

vii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


Also September 1 New York, NY Randall’s Island StadiumSeptember–October Tour of one-nighters through New EnglandNovember 1938–April 1939 New York, NY Freelance in HarlemApril 1939– Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra

January 18, 1940April 15 New York, NY Rockland PalaceMay 1–14 New York, NY Famous DoorAlso May 10 New York, NY recording sessionCa. May 16 Boston, MA State BallroomCa. May 17–June 25 Tour to Detroit, MI, New England, PennsylvaniaJune 28 New York, NY recording sessionJuly 1–2 Washington, DCJuly 3–ca July 7 Johnson City, NY George F. PavillionCa. July 8 Oceanside, Long Island, NY Roadside RestJuly 26 New York, NY recording sessionJuly 28–August 3 New York, NY Apollo TheatreAugust 10 New York, NY recording sessionAlso September 11 New York, NY recording session with

Lionel HamptonSeptember 12 New York, NY recording sessionOctober 6–12 New York, NY Apollo TheatreOctober 19, 1939– New York, NY Golden Gate Million

January 13, 1940 Dollar BallroomAlso October 21 New York, NY Renaissance CasinoAlso October 30 New York, NY recording session with

Lionel HamptonAlso November 3 New York, NY recording session with

Mildred BaileyAlso December 11 New York, NY recording sessionAlso January 2, 1940 New York, NY recording session with

The Four MarshallsJanuary 18 New York, NY recording sessionJanuary 26, 1940– Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

August 8, 1943January 26 Boston, MA Roseland State BallroomJanuary 27 Lawrence, MA Recreation BallroomJanuary 28 New York, NY Savoy BallroomJanuary 29 Huntingdon, PA Clifton TheatreCa. January 30 Portland, ME City HallFebruary 1 Madison, WI Memorial Union,

University of WisconsinFebruary 2–8 Chicago, IL State Lake TheatreFebruary 9–15 Chicago, IL Regal TheatreAlso February 13 Chicago, IL recording sessionFebruary 16 Detroit, MI Wayne UniversityFebruary 17 Muskegon, MI Michigan TheatreFebruary 18–20 Grand Rapids, MI Keith’s Theatre

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S viii


February 23–24 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan TheatreFebruary 25–28 Lansing, MI Strand TheatreFebruary 29 South Bend, IN Palace TheatreMarch 1 West Lafayette, IN Purdue UniversityMarch 3–5 Saginaw, MI Temple TheatreMarch 6 Chicago, IL recording sessionMarch 8–14 Detroit, MI Colonial TheatreMarch 15 Chicago, IL recording sessionMarch 16 St. Louis, MO Tune TownMarch 19–26 Denver, CO Denver TheatreMarch 29–31 Tacoma, WA Century BallroomApril 1–14 Seattle, WA Show BoxAlso April 8 Seattle, WA Finnish HallApril 15 Vancouver, BC, Canada ForumApril 16–17 Portland, OR Uptown BallroomApril 19 Palo Alto, CA Stanford UniversityApril 21–22 Oakland, CA Sweet’s BallroomApril 23 Los Angeles, CA Club AlabamApril 24–30 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum TheatreMay 1 San Diego, CA Mission Beach Ballroom,

Broadway PierMay 2 Los Angeles, CA Lincoln Park Roller RinkMay 3 Glendale, CA Civic AuditoriumMay 4 Hollywood, CA recording sessionMay 6 Ogdon, UT White City BallroomMay 8 Columbia, MO University of MissouriMay 9 Emposia, KS Civic AuditoriumMay 10 Lincoln, NE Turnpike CasinoMay 11 Sioux City, IA Skylon BallroomMay 12 Omaha, NE Chermot BallroomMay 13 Tulsa, OK Oil Capitol ClubMay 15 Houston, TX City AuditoriumMay 25 Burlington, IA Burlington Memorial

AuditoriumMay 28 Chicago, IL recording sessionMay 30 Gull Lake, MI LaBelle ResortMay 31 Columbus, OH Buckeye Lake Pier BallroomJune 1 Charleston, WV WCHS AuditoriumJune 2 (afternoon) Washington, DC aboard Robert E. Lee,

Cross Keys Nautical Cruise

June 2 (night) Washington, DC Howard TheatreJune 5 Old Orchard Beach, ME Old Orchard PierJune 7–13 New York, NY Apollo TheatreAlso June 12 New York, NY recording sessionJune 14 Ithaca, NY Cornell UniversityJune 15 Youngstown, OH Mystic Nightclub,

Stambaugh Auditorium

ix Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


June 16 Asheville, NCJune 17 Johnstown, PA Majestic TheatreJune 19 Charleston, SC Riverside Beach ParkJune 21 Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Golden

BallroomJune 22 Allentown, PA Castle Garden,

Dornay ParkJune 23 New York, NY Savoy BallroomJune 24 Lancaster, PA Rocky Springs ParkJune 27 Lawrence, MA Recreation BallroomJune 28 Fort Lee, NJ Palisades Amusement ParkJune 29 Bemous Point, NY CasinoJuly 2 Abingdon, VA Vann’s WarehouseJuly 3 Chattanooga, TN Memorial AuditoriumJuly 4 Macon, GA Macon AuditoriumJuly 6 Charelston, WV ArmoryJuly 8 Mount Hope, WV ArmoryJuly 10 Lexington, VA Joyland CasinoJuly 12 Buckroe Beach, VA Bayshore PavillionJuly 15 Auburn, AL Frazier ParkJuly 16 Columbus, GA FairgroundsJuly 17 Atlanta, GA City AuditoriumJuly 18 Asheville, NC Carolina WarehouseJuly 19 Charleston, SC Riverside Beach ParkJuly 22 New York, NY recording sessionJuly 24 New York, NY recording sessionJuly 25 Flushing, NY World’s Fair Court of PeaceJuly 26–August 1 Detroit, MI Eastwood GardensAugust 4–10 Virgina Beach, VA Surf Beach ClubAugust 15 South Lynnfield, MA Kimball’s Starlight BallroomAugust 16–19 Salem, NH Canobie Lake ParkAugust 20 Boston, MA Roseland State BallroomAugust 21 Claremont, NH Roseland BallroomAugust 23–24 Toronto, ON, Canada New Dance Pavillion,

Canadian National Exhibition

August 26 Chicago, IL ColiseumAugust 27 St. Louis. MO Municipal AuditoriumAugust 31 Glencoe, IL Lake Shore Country ClubSeptember 2 St. Louis, MO Forrest Park HighlandsSeptember 3 Henderson, KY Club TrocaderoSeptember 5 Chicago, IL recording sessionSeptember 6–October 17 Chicago, IL Hotel Sherman,

Panther RoomAlso October 11 Chicago, IL Savoy BallroomAlso October 17 Chicago, IL recording sessionOctober 18–24 Chicago, IL Oriental Theatre

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S x


October 25 Cedar Rapids, IA DancelandOctober 26 Gary, IN Miramar BallroomOctober 28 Chicago, IL recording sessionOctober 28 Chicago, IL Parkway BallroomOctober 29–30 Madison, WI Orpheum TheatreOctober 31 Columbus, OH Columbus AuditoriumNovember 1 Muncie, IN Muncie Field HouseAlso November 2 Chicago, IL recording session with

Rex StewartNovember 2 Chicago, IL Club CapriNovember 5 East Grand Forks, MN States BallroomNovember 6 Winnipeg, MB, Canada Civic AuditoriumNovember 7 Fargo, ND Crystal BallroomNovember 8 Duluth, MN ArmoryAlso November 11 Chicago, IL recording session with

Barney BigardNovember 15–21 Chicago, IL Regal TheatreNovember 25 Detroit, MI Graystone BallroomNovember 26–December 4 Brooklyn, NY Flatbush TheatreDecember 5–11 Bronx, NY Windsor TheatreAlso December 6 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn ApolloDecember 12 Hamilton, NY Memorial Chapel,

Colgate UniversityDecember 13–19 New York, NY Apollo TheatreAlso December 15 New York, NY recording session with

Jack TeagardenDecember 20 Hartford, CT State TheatreDecember 24 New York, NY Savoy BallroomDecember 28 Chicago, IL recording sessionDecember 28 Chicago, IL Savoy BallroomDecember 30 El Paso, TX Liberty HallJanuary 3–February 20, 1941 Culver City, CA Casa MañanaAlso January 15 Hollywood, CA recording sessionAlso February 15 Hollywood, CA recording sessionFebruary 21 San Diego, CA Mission Beach BallroomFebruary 23–24 Oakland, CA Sweet’s BallromFebruary 25 Reno, NV El Patio BallroomFebruary 28 Napa, CA Napa PavilionMarch 1 Oakland, CA Sweet’s BallromMarch 3–5 Portland, OR Uptown BallroomMarch 8 Seattle, WA University of WashingtonMarch 10 Victoria, BC, Canada York TheatreMarch 11 Vancouver, BC, Canada AuditoriumMarch 12 Seattle, WA Trianon BallromMarch 13 Seattle, WA Sunset BallromMarch 16 Longview, WA Columbia TheatreMarch 18 Boise, ID Miramar Ballroom

xi Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


March 21–25 Salt Lake City, UT New Lake TheatreMarch 26–27 Ogden, UT Egyptian TheatreApril 3–9 Los Angeles, CA Paramount TheatreApril 13 Dallas, TX Skylon BallroomApril 14 Shreveport, LA Palace ParkApril 15 Alexandria, LA Murphy’s Skating ParkApril 16 Houston, TX Pilgrim AuditoriumApril 19 Austin, TX Federated Women ClubApril 28 Kansas City, MO Municipal AuditoriumApril 30 Greenville, MS Cottonpicker’s CarnivalMay 2–3 St. Louis, MO Municipal AuditoriumMay 4 Peoria, IL Palace TheatreMay 6 Sheboygan, WI Sheboygan TheaatreMay 7 Appleton, WI RKO TheatreMay 8 Kenosha, WI Kenosha TheatreMay 9 Oshkosh, WI Oshkosh TheatreMay 17 Crawfordsville, IN Wabash CollegeMay 29–June 18 Southgate, CA Trianon BallroomAlso June 5 Hollywood, CA recording sessionAlso June 22 Hollywood, CA Club Capri, jam sessionJune 26 Hollywood, CA recording sessionJuly 2 Hollywood, CA recording sessionAlso July 3 Hollywood, CA recording session

with Rex StewartJuly 10–September 27 Los Angeles, CA Mayan Theatre, “Jump

for Joy” Also August 20 Culver City, CA Casa MañanaAlso August 24 Pasadena, CA Pasadena Gold ShellAlso August 25 Hollywood, CA radio broadcast, “Jubilee”Also September 17 Hollywood, CA recording sessionAlso September 26 Hollywood, CA recording sessionOctober 5 Los Angeles, CA Elks AuditoriumOctober 10–12 tour of one-nighters in northern CaliforniaNovember 1–2 Los Angeles, CA Mayan TheatreNovember 5–11 San Francisco, CA Golden Gate TheatreNovember 14 Palo Alto, CA Stanford UniversityNovember 19–25 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum TheatreNovember 28 Berkeley, CA University of CaliforniaDecember 2 Hollywood, CA recording sessionDecember 3 Hollywood, CA recording sessionDecember 7 Eugene, ORDecember 8–14 Portland, OR Mayfair TheatreDecember 15–21 Seattle, WA Palomar TheatreDecember 24–31 Detroit, MI Paradise TheatreJanuary 1–5, 1942 Kansas City, MO Mainstreet TheatreJanuary 8–9 Junction City, KSJanuary 12 Omaha, NE

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xii


January 16 Madison, WI Capitol TheatreJanuary 17 Waukegan, ILJanuary 18 Elkhardt, INJanuary 21 Chicago, IL recording sessionJanuary 23–29 Chicago, IL Oriental TheatreJanuary 30–February 5 Detroit, MI Paradise TheatreFebruary 6–9 Canton, OH Palace TheatreFebruary 10 Pittsburgh, PA Hill Street AuditoriumFebruary 11 Uniontown, PA State TheatreFebruary 12–18 Boston, MA Keith’s RKO TheatreFebruary 20 Lawrence, MA Recreation BallroomFebruary 21 Portland, ME Ricker GardensFebruary 22 Worcester, ME Municipal AuditoriumFebruary 23 Boston, MA Symphony HallFebruary 24 Toronto, ON, Canada Palais Royale BallroomFebruary 25 Buffalo, NY Memorial AuditoriumFebruary 26 New York, NY recording sessionFebruary 27–March 5 Washington, DC Howard TheatreAlso March 2 New York, NY Stage Door CanteenMarch 6–12 Baltimore, MD Royal TheatreMarch 13–19 Philadelphia, PA Earle TheatreMarch 20–26 Pittsburgh, PA Stanley TheatreMarch 27–29 Moline, IL Tri-State TheatreApril 2–May 12 Southgate, CA Trianon BallroomAlso April 4 Hollywood, CA recording session with

Slim GaillardMay 13–19 San Diego, CA Orpheum TheatreMay 20–26 San Francisco, CA Golden Gate TheatreMay 28–29 Stockton, CA Fox Colonial TheatreMay 30–31 Sacramento, CA Fox Hippodrome TheatreJune 3 Portland, OR Uptown BallroomJune 5–11 Vancouver, BC, Canada Beacon TheatreJune 12 Seattle, WA Civic AuditoriumJune 14 Tacoma, WA ExpositionJune 15 Salem, OR ArmoryJune 18 King City, CAJune 19 Vallejo, CA Casa de VallejoJune 20 San Jose, CA AuditoriumJune 21 Los Angeles, CA Shrine AuditoriumJune 26 Los Angeles, CA recording sessionJune 26–27 Ocean Park, CA Casino GardensAlso June 28 Hollywood, CA Trouville Club, jam sessionJuly 8 Salt Lake City, UT Cocoanut GroveJuly 10–15 Denver, CO Lakeside Park, El Patio

BallroomJuly 17–August 13 Chicago, IL Hotel Sherman,

Panther Room

xiii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


Also July 28 Chicago, IL recording sessionAlso July 29 Chicago, IL Navy Pier, Naval

Aviation Training SchoolAugust 14–20 Milwaukee, WI Riverside TheatreAugust 21–27 Chicago, IL Oriental TheatreAugust 28–September 3 Cleveland, OH Palace TheatreSeptember 4–10 Dayton, OH Colonial TheatreSeptember 11–13 Fort Wayne, IN Palace TheatreSeptember 14 Chicago, IL White City BallroomSeptember 15 St. Louis, MOSeptember 16 Moberly, MOSeptember 18 Kansas City, MO Municipal AuditoriumSeptember 19–20 Topeka, KSSeptember 26 Long Beach, CA Long Beach AuditoriumSeptember 28 Hollywood, CA M-G-M Studios,

Cabin in the SkyOctober 3 Hollywood CanteenOctober 6 Los Angeles, CA recording sessionOctober 7 Los Angeles, CA recording sessionOctober 8 Hollywood, CA M-G-M Studios,

Reveille with BeverlyOctober 8 Los Angeles, CA recording sessionOctober 10 Sacramento, CAOctober 11–12 Oakland, CAOctober 13 San Jose, CAOctober 16 Salt Lake City, UT Cocoanut GroveOctober 17–25 St. Louis, MO Tune Town BallroomOctober 26 Omaha, NE Dreamland BallroomOctober 27 Storm Lake, IA Cobblestone BallroomOctober 28 Fort Dodge, IA Laramar BallroomOctober 30–31 St. Paul, MNNovember 1–2 Madison, WINovember 6–12 Chicago, IL Regal TheatreNovember 13 Toledo, OHNovember 14 Cincinnati, OH Castle FarmsNovember 15 Youngstown, OHNovember 16 Toronto, ON, Canada Royal York HotelNovember 17 Kitchener, ON, Canada AuditoriumNovember 18 Buffalo, NY Memorial AuditoriumNovember 19 Trenton, NJ Fort DixNovember 20–26 Philadelphia, PA Earle TheatreNovember 27–December 3 Baltimore, MD Royal TheatreDecember 4–10 Washington, DC Howard TheatreDecember 11–13 Hartford, CT State TheatreDecember 14–16 Bridgeport, CT Lyric TheatreDecember 17 Providence, RI Biltmore Hotel

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xiv


December 18 Harrisburg, PA Chestnut Street HallDecember 22–24 Columbus, OH Palace TheatreDecember 25–31 Detroit, MI Paradise TheatreJanuary 1, 1943 Hamilton, ON, Canada Royal Connaught HotelJanuary 2 Toronto, ON, Canada Royal York HotelJanuary 4 Ottawa, ON, Canada AuditoriumJanuary 5 Montreal, QC, Canada ForumJanuary 6 Kingston, ON, Canada ArmoryJanuary 7 London, ON, Canada ArenaJanuary 8–11 Rochester, NY Temple TheatreJanuary 12–14 Utica, NY Stanley TheatreJanuary 22 Rye, NY Rye High SchoolJanuary 23 New York, NY Carnegie HallJanuary 24 Bridgeport, CT Ritz TheatreJanuary 25–27 Salem, MA Paramount TheatreJanuary 28 Boston, MA Symphony HallJanuary 29–31 Providence, RI Metropolitan TheatreFebruary 1–3 Worcester, MA Plymouth TheatreFebruary 4–7 Passaic, NJ Central TheatreFebruary 11 Wilmington, DE ArmoryFebruary 12–18 Philadelphia, PA Fay’sFebruary 19 Buffalo, NY Hotel Statler BallroomFebruary 20 Cleveland, OH Civic AuditoriumFebruary 22 Warren, OH Robin TheatreFebruary 25–March 3 Boston, MA Keith’s RKO TheatreMarch 5 Washington, DC Howard UniversityMarch 6 New York, NY Royal Windsor BallroomMarch 7 Washington, DC Turner’s ArenaMarch 8 Baltimore, MD Albert HallMarch 9 New York, NY Savoy BallroomMarch 10 Hartford, CTMarch 12–18 Boston, MA Roseland State BallromMarch 19–25 Pittsburgh, PA Stanley TheatreMarch 26 Washington, DC Turner’s ArenaMarch 28 New Haven, CT Shubert TheatreMarch 30 Cambridge, MA Harvard UniversityApril 1–August 8 New York, NY Hurricane RestaurantAlso April 6 New York, NY Madison Square GardenAlso May 1 New York, NY Central Park MallAlso May 30 New York, NY radio broadcast, “Fitch

Band Wagon”Also June 17 New York, NY recording sessionAlso June 19 New York, NY recording sessionAlso June 21–26 New York, NY Movietone Studios,

“Duke Ellington and His Orchestra”

xv Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


Also July 6 New York, NY radio broadcast, “Jumpin’ Jive”

Own groups, or freelanceAugust 10, 1943– New York, NY The Three Deuces

March 1944Also November 8 New York, NY recording session with

Woody HermanAlso November 17 New York, NY recording session with

Woody HermanAlso January 8, 1944 New York, NY recording session with

Woody HermanAlso February 8 New York, NY recording sessionAlso March 4 New York, NY recording session with

James P. JohnsonMarch–May New York, NY The Three Deuces with

Sidney CatlettAlso March 13 New York, NY recording session with

Cozy ColeAlso March 18 New York, NY recording session with

Sidney CatlettAlso March 25 New York, NY recording sessionAlso April 1 New York, NY recording session with

Walter ThomasAlso April 2 New York, NY Carnegie Hall, Fats

Waller MemorialAlso April 13 New York, NY radio broadcast with

Raymond ScottAlso April 17 New York, NY recording sessionMay–July John Kirby and His OrchestraMay–July New York, NY Aquarium RestaurantAlso May 17 New York, NY recording session with

G. Auld/C. HawkinsAlso May 20 New York, NY radio broadcast with

Raymond ScottAlso May 21 New York, NY Golden Gate BallroomAlso May 22 New York, NY Down Beat Club,

jam sessionAlso May 24 New York, NY Down Beat Club,

jam sessionAlso June 25 New York, NY radio broadcast with

Billie Holiday

Own groups, or freelanceAugust 1, 1944– Chicago, IL Garrick Lounge

January 1945

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xvi


Also December 24 Chicago, IL The Loop, jam sessionJanuary 24, 1945 New York, NY recording session with

Woody HermanJanuary 30–June 7 New York, NY Onyx ClubAlso March 8 New York, NY recording session with

Walter ThomasAlso March 25 New York, NY Lincoln Square CenterAlso April 7 New York, NY Audobon BallroomAlso May 30 New York, NY Lincoln Square CenterJune 9–ca. July 29 New York, NY Spotlite ClubJuly 31 Kansas City, MO Flamingo ClubAugust 14 New York, NY recording session with

Teddy WilsonCa. August 14– New York, NY Spotlite Club

ca. October 28Also September 7 New York, NY recording session with

Hot Lips PageAlso September 8 New York, NY Lincoln Square CenterAlso September 23 New York, NY Lincoln Square CenterCa. November 6, 1945– New York, NY Onyx Club

ca. February 24, 1946Also December 31 New York, NY Town Hall with

Mary Lou WilliamsAlso January 24, 1946 New York, NY recording session with

Al HallAlso January 26 New York, NY with Pete JohnsonAlso January 27 New York, NY Club “845”Also February 9 New York, NY Town HallCa. February 26–March 10 Washington, DC Bengazi ClubAlso March 6 New York, NY recording session with

Tony ScottCa. March 12– New York, NY The Three Deuces

ca. December 29Also May 3 New York, NY recording session with

Bill De ArangoAlso May 12 New York, NY Club “845”Also May 15 New York, NY recording sessionAlso August 23 New York, NY recording session with

Benny CarterAlso December 28 New York, NY Town Hall, Holiday

Jazz FestivalDecember 30, 1946– Washington, DC The Brown Derby

January 11, 1947January 14–July New York, NY The Three DeucesAlso March 7 New York, NY radio broadcast with

Rex StewartAlso April 17 New York, NY recording session

xvii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


Also April 19 New York, NY recording sessionSeptember–November New York, NY The Famous DoorOctober–November 1948 Washington, DC

November 6, 1948– Duke Ellington and His OrchestraJuly 7, 1949

November 6 Schenectady, NY Union CollegeNovember 13 New York, NY Carnegie HallNovember 14 Camden, NJ ArmoryNovember 16 Philadelphia, PA Broadwood HotelNovember 22–27 Philadelphia, PA Click RestaurantNovember 28 White Plains, NY Westchester County CenterDecember 7 Pittsburgh, PA Syria MosqueDecember 10 Ithaca, NY Cornell UniversityDecember 24–30 New York, NY Apollo TheatreJanuary 3–9, 1949 Buffalo, NY Town CasinoJanuary 16 Chicago, IL Civic Opera HouseJanuary 27 Los Angeles, CA Shrine AuditoriumJanuary 30 San Francisco, CA Opera HouseJanuary 31 Oakland, CA AuditoriumFebruary 1–20 Hollywood, CA Hollywood EmpireAlso February 16 Hollywood, CA Universal Studios,

Symphony in SwingAlso February Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Benny CarterFebruary 21 Long Beach, CA AuditoriumFebruary 22–28 Los Angeles, CA Million Dollar BallroomMarch 11 Los Angeles, CA Shrine AuditoriumMarch 14–27 Chicago, IL Blue NoteAlso March Chicago, IL recording session with

Al HibblerApril 8–14 Cincinnati, OH State TheatreApril 16 Detroit, MI Masonic AuditoriumApril 17 Buffalo, NY Memorial AuditoriumApril 20–May 10 New York, NY Paramount TheatreAlso April 22 New York, NY ArmoryMay 13 Gettysburg, PA Gettysburg UniversityMay 14 New Castle, PA Cathedral HallMay 15 Clairton, PA Downbeat ClubMay 16 Morgantown, PA Metropolitan TheatreMay 18 Chester, PA Stanley TheatreMay 19 Trenton, NJ ArenaMay 20 Philadelphia, PA Temple UniversityMay 21 New York, NY 13th Regiment ArmoryMay 23 Belleville, ON, Canada ArenaMay 24 Hamilton, ON, Canada Hamilton ArmouriesMay 25 Toronto, ON, Canada Massey Hall

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xviii


May 26 Sudbury, ON, Canada Capitol TheatreMay 27 Sault St. Marie, Memorial Gardens

ON, CanadaMay 28 North Bay, ON, Canada Memorial GardensMay 29 Noranda, QC, Canada ArenaMay 30 Schumacher, ON, McIntyre Arena

CanadaJune 2 London, ON, Canada Grand TheatreJune 3 Guelph, ON, Canada Memorial GardensJune 4 Peterborough, ON, Club Aragon

CanadaJune 6 Detroit, MI AAU ClubJune 9 Xenia, OH Wilberforce UniversityJune 10 Indianapolis, IN Sunset TerraceJune 11 Toledo, OH Naval ArmoryJune 18 South Bend, INJune 19 Peoria, IL The Ing BallroomJune 21 Madison, WI Orpheum TheatreJune 23–29 Milwaukee, WI Riverside TheatreJuly 1–7 Chicago, IL Regal Theatre

Own groups, or freelanceOctober 21, 1949 Kansas City, MO recording session with

Bus MotenNovember 1 Kansas City, MO recording session

with Walter Brown1950 Kansas City, MO Parkview Hotel

1950 Bob Wilson and His OrchestraKansas City, MO Jockey Club

1951 Jay McShann and His OrchestraOctober 27 Kansas City, MO recording session

December 1951 Johnny Otis and His OrchestraDecember 19 Los Angeles, CA recording sessionDecember 26 Los Angeles, CA recording session

Own groups, or freelance1951–52 Los Angeles, CA hotel in the Fillmore DistrictDecember 27 Los Angeles, CA recording sessionJanuary 4, 1952 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Little Esther PhillipsJanuary 16 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Little Esther PhillipsJanuary 16 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

with Dorothy Ellis

xix Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


January 18 Los Angeles, CA recording session withDinah Washington

May–July Benny Carter and His OrchestraMay–July Los Angeles, CA Sardi’sMay Hollywood, CA recording session “Clash

by Night” Also June Los Angeles, CA recording session,

Norman Granz Jam Session

Also July 22 Los Angeles, CA recording sessionwith Johnny Hodges

July 26 Los Angeles, CA recording session

Own groups, or freelanceOctober–November New York, NY Snookies CaféDecember 11 New York, NY recording session with

Johnny HodgesDecember New York, NY recording session

with The RavensDecember 1952/ New York, NY recording session

January 1953 with Slim GaillardJanuary 23 New York, NY recording sessionFebruary 12 New York, NY recording session with

Dossie TerryFebruary 12–18 New York, NY Minton’s PlayhouseAlso February 17 New York, NY recording session with

The Du-DroppersFebruary 19–March 4 New York, NY Birdland

March 27–April 23 Count Basie and His OrchestraMarch 27–April 2 New York, NY Apollo TheatreApril 3–16 New York, NY The Band BoxAlso April 7 New York, NY recording session with

Marshal RoyalApril 17–23 New York, NY Apollo Theatre

Own groups, or freelanceMay 2–29, 1953 New York, NY Flame Melody RoomAlso May 21 New York, NY recording session—

King of the TenorsJune 28 New York, NY recording session with

Clyde McPhatterAugust 5 New York, NY with The Du-DroppersSeptember 2 New York, NY recording session

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xx


Norman Granz Jam Session

September 10 New York, NY with Gene Krupa

September 11– Jazz at the PhilharmonicNovember 14

September 11 Hartford, CT Bushnell Memorial Auditorium

September 12 Philadelphia, PASeptember 13 Washington, DCSeptember 14 Norfolk, VASeptember 15 Richmond, VASeptember 16 Baltimore, MDSeptember 17 Newark, NJ Mosque TheatreSeptember 19 New York, NY Carnegie HallSeptember 20 Boston, MASeptember 21 Montreal, QC, CanadaSeptember 23 Toronto, QC, CanadaSeptember 24 Buffalo, NYSeptember 25 Pittsburgh, PASeptember 26 Detroit, MISeptember 27 Chicago, IL Civic Opera HouseOctober 1 San Antonio, TX Municipal AuditoriumOctober 2 Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee AuditoriumOctober 3 Indianapolis, IN Murat TheatreOctober 4 St. Louis, MO Kiel AuditoriumOctober 5 Columbus, OHOctober 6 Louisville, KY Memorial AuditoriumOctober 8 Madison, WI University of WisconsinOctober 9 Minneapolis, MN Municipal AuditoriumOctober 10 Cincinnati, OH Taft TheatreOctober 11 Cleveland, OH Music HallOctober 12 Flint, MI I.M.A. AuditoriumOctober 14 Kansas City, MO Music Hall

Wichita, KSOctober 16 Denver, CO Denver ArenaOctober 17 Portland, OR City AuditoriumOctober 18 Seattle, WA Civic AuditoriumOctober 19 Omaha, NEOctober 20 Vancouver, BC, CanadaOctober 22 Los Angeles, CA Shrine AuditoriumOctober 23 Sacramento, CA Municipal AuditoriumOctober 24 San Francisco, CA Civic AuditoriumOctober 25 Oakland, CA Auditorium ArenaOctober 26 San Diego, CA Russ AuditoriumOctober 27 San Jose, CA Municipal Auditorium

xxi Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


Long Beach, CAOctober 30 Honolulu, HI Civic AuditoriumNovember 4–9 Tokyo, Japan Nichigeki TheatreNovember 9–10 Osaka, Japan Umeda TheatreNovember 12 Nagoya, JapanNovember 13–14 Tokyo, Japan Ernie Pyle Theatre

Own groups, or freelanceNovember 19 Chicago, IL Nob-HillNovember 28 Chicago, IL Regal TheatreDecember 8 Los Angeles, CA recording session—

King of the TenorsSpring 1954 New York, NY Café BohemiaMarch 30 New York, NY recording session—

Music for LovingApril 9 New York, NY recording session

with Johnny HodgesMay 28 New York, NY recording session—

Music for LovingAugust 31– Chicago, IL Bee Hive Lounge

September 12, 1954September 17– Jazz at the Philharmonic

October 30, 1954September 17 Hartford, CT Bushnell Memorial

AuditoriumSeptember 18 (evening) New York, NY Carnegie HallSeptember 18 (midnight) Newark, NJ Mosque TheatreSeptember 20 Washington, DCSeptember 21 Montreal, QC, Canada ForumSeptember 27 Charleston, SC Charleston County HallOctober 1 Pittsburgh, PA Syria MosqueOctober 7 Los Angeles, CA Shrine AditoriumOctober 16 Chicago, IL Civic Opera HouseOctober 30 New York, NY Carnegie Hall

Besides these cities the tour went to Ann Arbor, MI, Baltimore, MD, Buffalo, NY,Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Detroit,MI, East Lansing, MI, Indianapolis, IN, Kansas City, MO, Long Beach, CA, Mahat-tan, KS, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, MN, Norfolk, VA, Oakland, CA, Philadel-phia, PA, Portland, OR, Richmond, VA, St. Louis, MO, San Antonio, TX, SanDiego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, Toronto, ON, Canada, Washington,DC.

November 2 1954– Roy Eldridge–Ben Webster–Bill Harris SextetJanuary 8, 1955

November 2–14 Cleveland, OH Loop LoungeNovember 16–21 Boston, MA The Hi-Hat

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xxii


November 23–December 5 Chicago, IL Blue NoteDecember 6–11 Philadelphia, PA RendezvousAlso December 13 New York, NY recording session with

Illinois JacquetAlso December 15 New York, NY recording session—

Music for LovingDecember 28, 1954– Detroit, MI Rouge Lounge

January 2, 1955January 3–8 Cleveland, OH Loop Lounge

Own groups, or freelanceFebruary 3 New York, NY recording sessionFebruary 23 New York, NY TV broadcast with

Roy EldridgeMarch Minton’s Playhouse, with Tony Scott Quartet

New York, NYMarch 28 Philadelphia, PA Blue Note, “Hommage

to Charlie Parker”May 16 New York, NY recording session with

Buddy RichJune New York, NY Minton’s PlayhouseJuly 17 Freebody Park, RI Newport Jazz FestivalJuly 31–August 5 Chicago, IL Cadillac LoungeSeptember 9 New York, NY recording session—

Music with FeelingDecember 17–22 Chicago, IL Stage LoungeFebruary 29– Chicago, IL Stage Lounge

March 20, 1956March 28–April 25 Chicago, IL Budland Show LoungeApril 27 Chicago, IL Trianon BallroomAugust 14 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Billie HolidayAugust 18 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Billie HollidaySeptember 4 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Harry EdisonSeptember 4 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Ella FitzgeraldSeptember 11 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Art TatumDecember 16 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Buddy BregmanDecember 18 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Buddy BregmanDecember 20 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Buddy BregmanDecember 24 Pasadena, CA Zucca’s Cottage

xxiii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


January 3, 1957 Los Angeles, CA recording session withBillie Holiday

January 4 Los Angeles, CA recording session withBillie Holiday




January 11 Los Angeles, CA recording session with Woody Herman

January 12 Los Angeles, CA recording sessionwith Woody Herman

January 18 Los Angeles, CA recording session with Red Norvo

January 31 Los Angeles, CA recording session with Buddy Rich

March 5 Los Angeles, CA recording session with Harry Edison

March 30 Los Angeles, CA recording session with Harry Edison

April–May Pasadena, CA Zucca’s CottageAlso May 2 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Dave HowardJune 11 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Benny CarterJune 12, 1957 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Billy DanielsJuly 22, 1957 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Benny CarterJuly 24 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Ella FitzgeraldAugust 2 Hollywood, CA Hollywood Bowl,

“3rd Annual Jazz Night”August 6 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Barney KesselSeptember 23 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Bill HarrisOctober 7 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Benny CarterOctober 15 Los Angeles, CA recording session—SoulvilleOctober 16 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

with Coleman HawkinsOctober 17 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Ella Fitzgerald

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xxiv


Ca. October 28– New York, NY Café BohemiaNovember 7

Ca. November 16 New York, NY recording session withRex Stewart

November 29 New York, NY recording session withRex Stewart

December 5 New York, NY CBS Studios, “The Sound of Jazz” rehearsal

December 8 New York, NY CBS Studios, “The Sound of Jazz”

1958 New York, NY recording session withDonna Hightower

April 5 New York, NY recording sessionwith Johnny Hodges

April 6 New York, NY Carnegie Halllate April, two weeks New York, NY Village VanguardApril 23 New York, NY NBC Studios, “The

Subject is Jazz: Swing”April 26–27 New York, NY recording session with

Duke EllingtonMay New York, NY The MetropoleMay 3 New York, NY TV-broadcast with

Billy TaylorMay 4 New York, NY recording sessionMay 15 New York, NY TV broadcast,

“Art Ford’s Jazz Party”Ca. May New York, NY Czechoslovakian BarJune 27 New York, NY recording session with

Michel LegrandJuly 3 Freebody Park, RI Newport Jazz FestivalJuly New York, NY recording session—

The Soul Of Ben WebsterSummer New York, NY Village VanguardJuly 13 Stony Brook, NY Stony Brook Jazz FestivalJuly 14 New York, NY recording session with

Mercer EllingtonJuly 16 New York, NY recording session

with Mundell LoweJuly 17 New York, NY recording session

with Mercer EllingtonJuly 22 New York, NY recording session

with Mercer EllingtonJuly 26 East Islip, Long Great South Bay

Island, NY Jazz FestivalAugust 4 New York, NY recording session with

Carmen McRae

xxv Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


August 6 New York, NY recording session withCarmen McRae

August 8 New York, NY recording session withCarmen McRae

August 14 New York, NY recording session \ with Johnny HodgesSeptember 10 New York, NY recording session

with Johnny HodgesSeptember 20 New York, NY Carnegie Hall with

Mary Lou WilliamsOctober 2 New York, NY Sheridan TheatreOctober New York, NY Sarah Lawrence CollegeOctober 5 Hemstead, Nuway Club

Long Island, NYOctober 23 New York, NY TV-broadcast,

Art Ford’s Jazz PartyNovember 3 New York, NY recording session with

Eugene BlairDecember 3–16 Chicago, IL Sutherland LoungeApril 4, 1959 New York, NY CBS Studios, TV broadcast

“Jazz from Studio 61”April 7–8 New York, NY recording session with

Johnny HodgesApril 9 New York, NY recording session—

Ben Webster and Associates

April 11 New York, NY 368th Regiment Armory with Lambert/Hendricks/Ross

May 19 New York, NY recording session, “One World Jazz”

June New York, NY recording sessionwith Count Basie

June 14–16 New York, NY recording sessionwith Joe Williams

October 2–3 Monterey, CA Monterey Jazz FestivalOctober 3 (evening) Hollywood, CA Los Angeles Jazz FestivalNovember 3 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Gerry MulliganNovember 6 Los Angeles, CA recording session,

Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson

November–December Los Angeles, CA The RenaissanceAlso December 2 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Gerry MulliganAlso December Los Angeles, CA TV recording, “Dinah

Shore Show”

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xxvi


January 1960 Los Angeles, CA The RenaissanceAlso January 12–14 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Maxwell DavisMarch 3–5, 1960 Tour with Jimmy Witherspoon,

Miles Davis Quintet and other groupsMarch 3 San Jose, CAMarch 4 San Francisco, CA Civic AuditoriumMarch 5 Oakland, CA Oakland AuditoriumMay 10 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Nancy WilsonJune 1 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Johnny HodgesJune 3 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Johnny HodgesJune 18 Hollywood, CA 2nd Los Angeles Jazz FestivalJuly 15 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Jo StaffordAugust Los Angeles, CA The RenaissanceAugust 1 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Jo StaffordAugust 10 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Jo StaffordSeptember Los Angeles, CA The DiggerAlso September 6–8 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Helen HumesAlso same time Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Jimmy Rushing/Helen Humes

Also September 21 Los Angeles, CA recording session with Jon Hendricks

October Los Angeles, CA The RenaissanceAlso October 18 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Clarence “Big” MillerNovember San Francisco, CA The Jazz CellarAlso November 22 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Johnny HodgesJanuary 18–19, 1961 Los Angeles, CA recording session—

The Warm MoodsJanuary 19 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Anita O’DayJanuary 31 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Johnny HodgesFebruary 28–March 26 Los Angeles, CA The RenaissanceMarch? Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Richard “Groove” Holmes

March–April on tour with Jimmy Witherspoon

xxvii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


March 27–April 5 Phoenix, AZJune 19 Los Angeles recording session with

Jimmy WitherspoonJuly 4–August 20 San Francisco, CA The Jazz WorkshopAugust 23 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Jimmy WitherspoonAugust 28 recording session with

Jimmy WitherspoonAugust? recording session with

Wynona CarrSeptember 4–October 1 Los Angeles, CA The RenaissanceAlso September 22 Monterey, CA Monterey Jazz FestivalOctober Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Kay StarrDecember 26, 1961– San Francisco, CA The Jazz Workshop

January 7, 1962April 10 Los Angeles, CA recording session with

Benny CarterApril 10–11 Los Angeles, CA recording session

with Frank SinatraApril 27–May 13 Chicago, IL Archway Supper ClubMay 23 Los Angeles, LA recording session with

Jimmy WitherspoonMay 30 Washington, DC International Jazz FestivalJune 6–7 New York, NY recording session—

Ben & SweetsJune, one week New York, NY The Shalimar ClubJuly 24–August 5 San Francisco, CA The Jazz WorkshopSeptember 21 Monterey, CA Monterey Jazz FestivalSeptember–October Los Angeles, CA Sugar HillAutumn Los Angeles, CA Shelly’s Manne HoleNovember Los Angeles, CA TV broadcast,

“Jazz Scene USA”November 15 Los Angeles, CA Embassy Auditorium

(with Duke Ellington)December 18–31 San Francisco, CA The Jazz WorkshopDecember San Francisco, CA TV broadcast, “Jazz Casual”March 3–17, 1963 Chicago, IL McKie’s Disc Jockey LoungeAlso March 16 Chicago, IL El Sid’s Trianon BallroomJune 3–8 Boston, MA Connolly’s Star Dust RoomJune 15 New York, NY Town HallJune 17 New York, NY recording session with

Clark TerryJune 18–July 28 New York, NY The Shalimar ClubAlso July 17 New York, NY recording session with

Joe WilliamsAugust 5–25 New York, NY The Half Note

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xxviii


Also August 8 New York, NY Lincoln Center, Philharmonic Hall

September 2 Darien, CT Jim Dunn Jazz PartySeptember 17–29 New York, NY The Half NoteAlso September 20 New York, NY recording session—

Ben Webster/Joe Zawinul:Soulmates

October 13–19 New York, NY The Five SpotAlso October 14, 1963 New York, NY recording session—

Ben Webster/Joe Zawinul: Soulmates

October 20 New York, NY The Five SpotOctober 27 New York, NY BirdlandOctober 31–November 30 New York, NY BirdlandAlso November 20 recording session with

Joe WilliamsDecember 6–8 Providence, RI King’s & Queen’sCa. December 23 Detroit, MI Holiday Show1964 New York, NY recording session with

Sylvia SymsJanuary 9, 1964 New York, NY Basin Street East

(with Ellington)January 18 Shenectady, NY Mike Roth’sCa. January 20–25 New York, NY The Half NoteFebruary 1–6 New York, NY The Village VanguardFebruary 7–13 New York, NY Café Au Go GoFebruary 18 Providence, RI Pio’s LodgeFebruary 21–22 New York, NY The Little TheatreCa. February 23 New York, NY St. Alban’s PlazaEarly 1964 New York, NY The Metropole (with

Harold Baker)Early 1964 New York, NY The Half NoteMarch 11 New York, NY recording session—

See You At The FairMarch 13 New York, NY recording session

with Clark TerryMarch 16–21 Toronto, ON, Canada The Town TavernMarch 25 New York, NY recording session—

See You At the FairApril New York, NY WNDT TV-broadcastMay 11–16 Toronto, ON, Canada The Town TavernMay 28 New York, NY Café Au Go Go

(with Stan Getz)June 19–20 Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Jazz FestivalJuly 5 Freebody Park, RI Newport Jazz FestivalCa. July 14–19 New York, NY The Metropole

(with Newport All Stars)

xxix Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


September 21 Long Island, NY StonybrookOctober 26–29 New York, NY recording session with

Lionel HamptonNovember 10–11 recording session

with Oliver Nelson

European years:December 8, 1964– London, England Ronnie Scott’s Club—January 3, 1965 Stan Tracey’s TrioAlso December 20 London, England TV-broadcast,

“Jazz 625”—Stan Tracey’s Trio

January 4–16 Stockholm, Sweden Gyllene Cirkeln—Gunnar Svensson’s Trio

Also January 8 Stockholm, Sweden Swedish Radio, broadcast—Gunnar Svensson’s Trio

Also January 10 Copenhagen, Denmark Radiohusets Koncertsal—Kenny Drew’s Trio

January 19–31 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Kenny Drew’s Trio

February 1 Stockholm, Sweden Swedish TV, “Jazz Trumpeten”—Gunnar Svensson’s Trio

February 2 Umeå, Sweden Umeå Jazzfestival—Lars Sjösten’s Trio

February 3 Östersund, Sweden Östersund Jazzklub—Lars Sjösten’s Trio

February 4 Sundsvall, Sweden Sundsvall Jazzklub—Lars Sjösten’s Trio

February 8 Helsingborg, Sweden Helsingborg Jazzklub—Lars Sjösten’s Trio

February 9 (afternoon) Malmö, Sweden Stadsteatern—Lars Sjösten’s Trio

February 9 (evening) Lund, Sweden Tua—Lars Sjösten’s TrioFebruary 11 Ålborg, Denmark East Park Jazzklub—

Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

February 12 Århus, Denmark Århus Studenterjazz, Stakladen—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

February 13 Randers, Denmark Randers Jazzklub—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

February 15–21 Oslo, Norway Metropol—Tore Sandnæs’ Trio

February 26 (afternoon) Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, broadcast—

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xxx



February 26 (evening) Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

February 27 Holbæk, Denmark Holbæk Jazzklub—Kenny Drew’s Trio

February 28 Roskilde, Denmark Birdland—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

March 8 Göteborg, Sweden KonserthusetMarch 9 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish TV, “Jazzorama”—


March 10 Copenhagen, Denmark Vingården—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

March 27–April 10 Paris, France Blue Note—Mal Waldron’sTrio/René Urtreger’s Trio

April 19–May 1 Stockholm, Sweden Gyllene Cirkeln—Gunnar Svensson’sTrio/Lars Sjösten’s Trio

May 8 London, England Royal Festival Hall—Jazz from Kansas City

May 10–June 5 London, England Ronnie Scott’s Club—Alan Branscombe’sTrio/Stan Tracey’s Trio

June 6, 1965 Manchester, England Manchester Sports Guild—Bruce Turner Jump Band

June 7 Birmingham, England Birmingham Jazz Festival—Bruce Turner Jump Band

June 8 Redcar, England Redcar Jazz Festival—Bruce Turner Jump Band

June 11 Grimsby, England South Bank Jazz Club—Bruce Turner Jump Band

June 12 Nottingham, England Dancing Slipper—Bruce Turner Jump Band

June 13 Leicester, England Bruce Turner Jump BandJune 14 Barnes, England Bruce Turner Jump BandJune 15 London, England Douglas House—

Bruce Turner Jump BandJune 16 Southampton, England Concord Club—

Bruce Turner Jump BandJune 18 Bath, England Bath Jazz Festival—

Bruce Turner Jump BandJune 19–20 Manchester, England Manchester Jazz Festival June 21 Brighton, England Bruce Turner Jump Band

xxxi Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


July 19 Blankenberg, BelgiumJuly 29 Copenhagen, Denmark Vingården—


August 1 Rørvig, Denmark Rørvig Færgekro—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

August 24 Oslo, Norway Fossilklubben—Eivind Solberg’s Quintet

August 27 Copenhagen, Denmark Vingården—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

August 28 Hillerød, Denmark Linden—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

September 5 Copenhagen, Denmark recording session—Big Sound

September 10 Århus, Denmark Århus Studenterjazz, Stakladen—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

September 11 Slagelse, Denmark Slagelse Jazzklub—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

September 12 Copenhagen, Denmark Vingården—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

September 13 Copenhagen, Denmark recording session—Blue Light



September 29–October 7 Oslo, Norway Down Town Key Club—Einar Iversen’s Trio

October 12 Copenhagen, Denmark Vingården—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

October 13 Copenhagen, Denmark Blue Note Jazz, Westfalia—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

October 14 (afternoon) Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, broadcast—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

October 14 Copenhagen, Denmark Blue Note Jazz, Westfalia—Arnvid Meyer’sOrchestra

October 29 West Berlin, Germany 2nd Berliner Jazztage—

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xxxii


Don Byas, Brew, Moore & Kenny Drew’s Trio

November 3 Paris, France Paris Jazz Festival—Earl Hines’ Trio

November 3 Paris, France The Living Room, jam session

November 5–6 Bruxelles, Belgium Blue Note—Jean Fanis’ TrioNovember 13 Helsingør, Denmark Mahogany Hall Jazzklub—


November 14 Copenhagen, Denmark Allé Scenen—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

December 1–13 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Don Byas, Brew, Moore & Kenny Drew’sTrio

January 15, 1966 Copenhagen, Denmark Folk Scene—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

January 16 Copenhagen, Denmark Basin Street Club—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

March 5 Hillerød, Denmark Hillerød Jazzklub—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

Ca. March 12 Maribo, Denmark Maribo Jazzklub—Rosita Thomas & Hans Fjeldsted Trio

March 17 Copenhagen, Denmark Dansk Vandrelaugs Jazzkreds—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

March 19 Padborg, Denmark Padborg Jazzklub—Steen Vig’s Orchestra

March 20 Odense, Denmark Riverside Jazzklub—Steen Vig’s Orchestra

March 26 Roskilde, Denmark Jazz Festival 66, Roskildehallen—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

April 2 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish TV—Niels Jørgen Steen’s Orchestra

May 3–29 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Carmell Jones & Kenny Drew’s Trio

xxxiii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


Also May 14 Maribo, Denmark Maribo Jazzklub—Niels Jørgen Steeen’s Trio

Also May 19 Kristianstad, Sweden Jazzgala, Summarlust—Niels Jørgen Steen’sBeatkapel

Also May 25 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, broadcast—Carmell Jones & Kenny Drew’s Trio

June 30 Amsterdam, Holland Vara Studio, TV broadcast—Cees Slinger’s Trio

July 6 Bruxelles, Belgium Jazz Club de Belgique—Jean Fanis’ Trio

July 13 Amsterdam, Holland Concertgebouw—Boy Edgar’s Big Band

July 29 Antibes, France Antibes Jazz Festival—Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

Early August Oslo, Norway soundtrack to the movie Liv—Tore Sandnæs’ Trio

August 10–14 Oslo, Norway Club Manhattan—Tore Sandnæs’ Trio

August 21 Rotterdam, Holland Jazzclub B 14—Jacques Schols’ Trio

September 23 Århus, Denmark Århus Studenterjazz, Stakladen—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

October 29 Turnhout, Belgium The Hep Cat—Cees Slinger’s Trio

November 23 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, Studio 3, concert—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

November 25 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish TV—JATP All StarsNovember 27 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio Concert

Hall—The New Radio Dance Orchestra

December 12, 1966– London, England Ronnie Scott’s Club—January 7, 1967 Stan Tracey’s Trio

January 9 Barnes, England Bull’s Head—Ronnie Scott’s Quartet

January 11–12 London, England recording session—Remember Ben Webster

January 12 London, England BBC, TV-broadcast—Stan Tracey’s Trio

January 13 Botley, England Dolphin Hotel—

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xxxiv


Ronnie Scott’s QuartetJanuary 14 Manchester, England Manchester Sports Guild—

Ronnie Scott’s QuartetJanuary 15 Coventry, England Mercers Arms—

Ronnie Scott’s QuartetJanuary 16 Swansea, Wales Swansea University—

Ronnie Scott’s QuartetJanuary 17 Aberystwyth, Wales Aberystwyth University—

Ronnie Scott’s QuartetJanuary 18 Sheffield, England Sheffield University—

Ronnie Scott’s QuartetJanuary 19 Liverpool, England Liverpool University—

Ronnie Scott’s QuartetJanuary 21 Birmingham, England Birmingham University—

Ronnie Scott’s QuartetJanuary 22 London, England Marquee Club—

Ronnie Scott’s QuartetJanuary 27 Geneva, Switzerland Henri Chaix’s OrchestraJanuary 28 Baden, Switzerland Aula der Kantonschule—

Henri Chaix’s OrchestraJanuary 29 Solothurn, Switzerland Landhaussaal—

Henri Chaix’s OrchestraApril 8 Amsterdam, Holland Jazzart—Don Byas &

Cees Slinger’s TrioApril 15 London, England Queen Elisabeth Hall—

Tenor of Jazz ConcertApril 16 (afternoon) recording session—

Tenors Of JazzApril 16 (evening) Jazz at the Dog & Fox—

John Patrick’s TrioApril 17 Manchester, England Free Trade Hall—

Tenor of Jazz ConcertApril 18 Bristol, England Colston Hall—

Tenor of Jazz ConcertApril 19 West Hampstead, Dopey’s Jazz House—

England Pat Smythe’s TrioApril 25 Hitchin, Hertfordshire, John Chilton’s Swing Kings

EnglandApril 27 London, England recording session—

Ben Webster Meets Bill Coleman

April 29 Newcastle, England Pat Smythe’s TrioApril 30 (afternoon) Nottingham, England Playhouse Theatre—

Fred Hunt’s TrioApril 30 (evening) London, England BBC Jazz SceneMay 5 Hlversum, Holland TV broadcast,

“Mise-en-Scene”(talk show)

xxxv Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


May 11 Amsterdam, Holland Jazzart—Don Byas, George Johnson, & Cees Slinger’s Trio

May 16–22 London, England Ronnie Scott’s Club—Stan Tracey’s Trio

May 23 Manchester, England Club 43May 29 Birmingham, England Bill Coleman &

Tony Milliner–Alan Littlejohn Sextet

Ca. May 31 London, England Hammersmith Theatre—Bill Coleman & Alex Welsh’s Band

June 2 Geneva, Switzerland Buck Clayton & Henri Chaix’s Quartet

June 3 Baden, Switzerland Aula der Kantonschule—Buck Clayton & Henri Chaix’s Quartet

June 16 Antwerpen, Belgium Café Samson—Buck Clayton & Camille de Ceunynck’s Trio

July 14–15 Pori, Finland Kirjurinluoto, Pori Jazz Festival—Kenny Drew’s Trio

July 15 Pori, Finland Restaurant Puistokeskus,jam session

July 17 Pori, Finland HISC Club—Raimo Roiha’s Trio

July 18 Pori, Finland Down Beat Jazz Club—Raimo Roiha’s Trio

July 24 (afternoon) Pori, Finland Finnish Radio, broadcast—Raimo Roiha’s Trio

July 24 (evening) Pori, Finland HISC Club—Raimo Roiha’s Trio

August 4–5 Molde, Norway Molde Kino, Molde Jazz Festival—Kenny Drew’s Trio

August 13 Copenhagen, Denmark Studenterforeningen—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

August 19 Copenhagen, Denmark Studenterforeningen—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

September 4–16 London, England Ronnie Scott’s Club—Pat Smythe’s Trio

September 21 London, England BBC TV-broadcast—Pat Smythe’s Trio

September 22 Manchester, England Jazz Scene—Pat Smythe’s Trio

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xxxvi


September 23 Manchester, England Club 43—Pat Smythe’s Trio

September 30 Manchester, England Club 43—Pat Smythe’s Trio

October 1–3 Glasgow, Scotland Caesar’s Palace—Pat Smythe’s Trio

October 4, 1967 Hampstead, England Dick’s Jazz House “Klooks Kleek”—Pat Smythe’s Trio

October 8 Esslingen, Aula der John F. KennedyWest Germany Schule —Benny Bailey &

Henri Chaix’s BandOctober 12 Amsterdam, Holland Jazzart—Cees Slinger’s TrioOctober 13 Rotterdam, Holland Jazzclub B 14—

Cees Slinger’s TrioOctober 14 Delft, Holland Novum Jazz—

Cees Slinger’s TrioOctober 20 Zaandam, Holland De Peberbus—

Cees Slinger’s TrioOctober 21 Scheveningen, Holland Kurhaus—

Cees Slinger’s TrioOctober 24 London, England Jazz Expo ’67—

Newport Jazz Festival in Europe

October 27 Doetinchem, Holland Groenendal— Cees Slinger’s Trio

October 30 Delft, Holland Smor Jazz Club—Cees Slinger’s Trio

November 4 Enschede, Holland Studievereniging Drienerkring—Cees Slinger’s Trio

November West Berlin, Germany Blue Note—Hans Rettenbacher’sTrio

November 24 Enschede, Holland Technical University—Cees Slinger’s Trio

January 1–27, 1968 London, England Ronnie Scott’s Club—Stan Tracey’s Trio

Also January 17 Reading, England Reading University—Stan Tracey’s Trio

February 1–2 Villingen, recording session—West Germany Ben Webster & Don Byas

ca. February 3 Karlsruhe, SWF, radio broadcast, West Germany “Jazz Session”—Don Byas &

Tete Montoliu’s TrioMarch 1 Århus, Denmark Århus Studenterjazz,

Stakladen—Hans JacobSahlertz’ Quintet

xxxvii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


March 2 Haderslev, Denmark Haderslev Jazzklub—Hans JacobSahlertz’ Quintet

March 3 Hjørring, Denmark Hjørring Jazzklub—Hans JacobSahlertz’ Quintet

March 5–7 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Kenny Drew’s Trio

Also March 5 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio—Kenny Drew’s Trio

March 9 Copenhagen, Denmark Studenterforeningen—Danish Radio Big Band

March 10 Vejen, Denmark Mad House Jazz Club—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

March 29 Paris, France La Mutualité—George Arvanitas’ Trio

April 4 Amsterdam, Holland BAVO-Huis, rehearsal—Boy Edgar’s Big Band

April 5 Hilversum, Holland VARA-Studio 5, radio broadcast—Boy Edgar’s Big Band

April 18 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish TV studio—Danish Radio Big Band

April 20 (afternoon) Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio Studio 2—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

April 20 (evening) Copenhagen, Denmark Nordisk Kollegium—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

April 23 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio Studio 2—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

April 26 Copenhagen, Denmark Odd Fellow Palæet—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

June 9 Warszawa, Poland Warszawa Philharmonic—Novi & Witold Krotochwil’s Trio

June 12 Kraków, Poland Gallery Krzyszofory—Witold Krotochwil’sTrio

July 8 Amsterdam, Holland Brockhorststraat 18,rehearsal—4 TenorenShow

July 9 Amsterdam, Holland VARA-TV, broadcast—4 Tenoren Show

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xxxviii


July 11 Düsseldorf, Dum-Dum Jazzclub—West Germany Bora Rokovic’s Trio

August 17 Roermond, Holland Hammerfeld Jazz Festival—Ann Burton & Cees Slinger’s Trio

September 6 Deurne, Belgium Gemeentelijke Feestzal—Bill Coleman, Buddy Tate, & Milt Buckner’s Trio and other groups

October 16 Amsterdam, Holland Paradiso—Cees Slinger’s Trio

October 26 Krefeld, West Germany Jazzkeller—George Maycock’s Trio

December 2–28 London, England Ronnie Scott’s Club—Stan Tracey’s Trio

January 12, 1969 Heemstede, Holland recording session—Ben Webster At Ease

January 21 Amsterdam, Holland Gerrit Rietveld Academie—Cees Slinger’s Trio

January 24 Amsterdam, Holland Lurelei Theater—Cees Slinger’s Trio

January 29 Lausanne, Switzerland Club Johnny’s—Henri Chaix’s Orchestra

January 30 Geneva, Switzerland Theatre de l’Atelier—Henri Chaix’s Orchestra

January 31 Bern, Switzerland Hotel National—Henri Chaix’s Orchestra

February 1 Baden, Switzerland Aula der Kantonschule—Henri Chaix’s Orchestra

February 2 St. Gallen, Switzerland Henri Chaix’s OrchestraMarch 10 Antwerpen, Belgium Café Samson—

Jay McShann’s QuartetMarch 26 Amsterdam, Holland Paradiso—

Cees Slinger’s Trio, Ann Burton and other groups

March 29 Ijmuiden, Holland Galerie Felison—Dan van Golberdinge’s Trio

April 9–May 17 Copenhagen, Denmark Timme’s Club—Bent Schjærff’s Trio/Niels JørgenSteen’s Trio

Also April 13 Copenhagen, Denmark Radiohusets Koncertsal—Danish Radio Big Band

Also April 20 Copenhagen, Denmark Otto Mønsted Kollegiet—Buck Clayton & ArnvidMeyer’s Orchestra

xxxix Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


May 18 Copenhagen, Denmark Bristol Music Center, jam session

May 26 Heemstede, Holland recording session—For the Guv’nor

May 28 Amsterdam, Holland Paradiso—Cees Slinger’s Trio

May 30 Hoogeveeen, Holland De Tamboer—Frans Wieringa’s Trio

June 19 Århus, Denmark Trinbrædtet—Hans JacobSahlertz’ Quintet

July 19 Asserbo, Denmark Sandkroen—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

July 25 Copenhagen, Denmark La Fontaine, jam sessionJuly 28 (afternoon) Vallekilde, Denmark Vallekilde Højskole—

Dexter Gordon & Kenny Drew’s Trio

July 28 (evening) Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Dexter Gordon,Lee Konitz & KennyDrew’s Trio

August 2 Molde, Norway Molde Kino, Molde JazzFestival—Rowland Greenberg’s Quartet

August 12 Stockholm, Sweden Skansen—Ove Lind’s BandAugust 13–14 Stockholm, Sweden Stampen—Rolf Ericson

& Lars Sjösten’s TrioAugust 16 Emmaboda, Sweden Jazz Festival—

Harold Goldberg TrioSeptember Rotterdam, Holland Jazzclub B 14—

Louis van Dyke’s TrioSeptember 6–12 Århus, Denmark Tagskægget—Niels

Jørgen Steen’s QuartetSeptember 16 Copenhagen, Denmark Wifoss Studios, soundtrack,

Quiet Days in ClichySeptember 27 Göteborg, Sweden Swedish TV, broadcast—

Dexter Gordon & Gunnar “Siljabloo” Nilsson’s Quintet

October 10 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, broadcast—Danish Radio Big Band

October 29 Copenhagen, Denmark recording session—Ben Webster at Work in Europe

November 2 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xl


November 5 Copenhagen, Denmark St. Lawrence, Danish Radio, broadcast—Matty Peters & The Danish Radio Big Band

November 14 Copenhagen, Denmark Odd Fellow Palæet—Teddy Wilson’s Trio and other groups

November 22 Den Bosch, Holland VPRO-TV, broadcast—Frans Wieringa’s Trio

December 13 Roskilde, Denmark Birdland—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

December 21 Copenhagen, Denmark Bristol Music Center, jam session

December 31, 1969– Stockholm, Sweden Stampen—Lars Sjösten’sJanuary 1, 1970 Trio

January 5 (morning) Copenhagen, Denmark Danish TV, broadcast—Toots Thielemans & Ole Kock Hansen’s Quartet

January 5–6 Stockholm, Sweden Stampen—Lars Sjösten’s Trio

February 4 Kristianstad, Sweden Blue Bird—Lars Sjösten’s Trio

February 9 Uppsala, Sweden Måndagsklubben—Red Mitchell’s Trio

March 15 (afternoon) Trondheim, Norway Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum—Tore Sandnæs’ Trio

March 15 (evening) Trondheim, Norway PUB’en, Studentersamfundet—Tore Sandnæs’ Trio

March 16 Trondheim, Norway PUB’en, Studentersamfundet—Tore Sandnæs’ Trio

March 17 (afternoon) Trondheim, Norway Storsalen, Studentersamfundet—Tore Sandnæs’ Trio

March 17 (evening) Trondheim, Norway Down Town Key Club—Tore Sandnæs’ Trio

March 21 Korsør, Denmark Korsør Jazzklub—J. C. Higginbotham & Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

March 27 Lyngby, Denmark Polyjoint—J. C. Higginbotham & Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

April 13 Ishøj, Denmark Danish TV—Kenny Drew’s Trio

xli Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


April 17 Lyngby, Denmark Polyjoint—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

April 18 Slagelse, Denmark Slagelse Jazzklub—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

April 28 Flensburg, Flensborghus—West Germany Ole Kock Hansen’s

QuartetMay 1 Bern, Switzerland Hotel National—

Teddy Wilson’s TrioMay 2 Baden, Switzerland Aula der Kantonschule—

Teddy Wilson’s TrioMay 4 Geneve, Switzerland Geneve Jazzclub—

Henri Chaix’s OrchestraMay? Holland Tros TV Show—

Frans Wieringa’s TrioMay 9 Svendborg, Denmark Svendborg Jazzklub—

Arnvid Meyer’s OrchesraCa. May 12 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish TV—

Bill Coleman & Teddy Wilson’s Trio

June 19 Lörrach, Jazztone—West Germany Henri Chaix’s Orchestra

June 20 Aarau, Switzerland Aarauer Saalbau—Henri Chaix’s Orchestra& Albert Nicholas

July 7–26 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Kenny Drew’s Trio

August 4 Amsterdam, Holland Brakke Grond Theater,rehearsal

August 5 Laren, Holland recording session—Ben Op Zijn Best/Ben At His Best

August 10–29 London, England Ronnie Scott‘s Club—Alan Branscombe’s Trio

September 2 Laren, Holland De Hertenkamp—Cees Slinger’s Trio

September 5 Hilversum, Holland VARA-Studio, “Openhuis”TV show—Cees Slinger’s Trio

September 17 Copenhagen, Denmark St. Lawrence, Danish Radio,broadcast—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

September 26 Holbæk, Denmark Holbæk Jazzklub—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchesra

September 28– London, England Ronnie Scott‘s Club—October 10 Stan Tracey’s Trio

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xlii


October 12–13 recording session—Webster’s Dictionary

October 21 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre, jam session

October 27 St. Lawrence, Danish Radio, broadcast—Matty Peters & The Danish Radio Big Band

October 31 Odense, Denmark Hinnerupgård—Kenny Drew’s Trio

November 6 Copenhagen, Denmark St. Lawrence, Danish Radio,broadcast—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

January 19–20, 1971 Stockholm, Sweden Stampen—Lars Sjösten’s Trio

January 23 Hillerød, Denmark Hillerød Jazzklub—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

February 1–2 Zurich, Switzerland Café Odeon—Kenny Drew’s Trio

February 13 Lyngby, Denmark Polyjoint—Finn Ziegler’s Quintet

February 28 (afternoon) Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre, Danish TV—Charlie Shavers & Finn Ziegler’s Quartet

February 28 (evening) Lyngby, Denmark Polyjoint—Charlie Shavers& Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

Ca. March 11 Uppsala, Sweden Måndagsklubben—Red Mitchell’s Trio

Ca. March 12–14 Stockholm, Sweden Stampen—Red Mitchell’s Trio

March 20 Bergamo, Italy Teatro Donizetti, 3rd International Jazz Festival—CharlieShavers & Joe Haider’s Trio

March 21 Venezia, Italy Charlie Shavers & Joe Haider’s Trio

March 22 Terni, Italy Hotel Valentino—Charlie Shavers & Joe Haider’s Trio

March 23 San Marco, Italy Charlie Shavers & Joe Haider’s Trio

April 19–May 2 London, England Ronnie Scott’s Club—Stan Tracey’s Trio

xliii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


May 9–10 Göteborg, Sweden Key Club—Staffan Nilsson’s Trio

Ca. May 15–20 Tour in Holland Tete Montoliu’s TrioMay 29 Lyngby, Denmark Polyjoint—Arnvid

Meyer’s OrchestraJune 1–2 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—

Benny Carter & Kenny Drew’s Trio

June 3 Svendborg, Denmark Rottefælden—Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyers’ Orchestra

June 4 Århus, Denmark Tagskægget—Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyers’ Orchestra

June 5 Silkeborg, Denmark Silkeborg Jazzklub—Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyers’ Orchestra

June 8 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyers’ Orchestra

June 10–11 Århus, Denmark Tagskægget—Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyers’ Orchestra

June 21–22 Joinville-le-Pont, Cinèma le Royal, France Trois Nuits De Jazz—

Bill Coleman, Benny Carter & KennyDrew’s Trio

June 29–July 1 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Kenny Drew’s Trio

July 22 Horsens, Denmark Forsamlingsbygningen, Multi-Musik Festival—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

July 23 Århus, Denmark Århus Studenterjazz, Stakladen—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

October 3 Oslo, Norway Studentbyens Jazzklub,Sogn—Jack Reilly’s Trio

October 4 Trondheim, Norway Studentbyen Moholt—Jack Reilly’s Trio

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xliv


October 5 Molde, Norway Molde Kino—Jack Reilly’s Trio

October 6 Oslo, Norway Club 7—Jack Reilly’s Trio

October 8 Oslo, Norway Norwegian Radio, broadcast—Jack Reilly’s Trio

November 7 Copenhagen, Denmark Tivolis Koncertsal—Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

November 10 Malmö, Sweden Stadsteatern—Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

November 13 Lyngby, Denmark Polyjoint—Niels Jørgen Steen’s Beatkapel

November 22 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, broadcast—Danish Radio Big Band

December 26, 1971– Jazzhus Montmartre—January 1, 1972 Kenny Drew’s Trio

Ca. January 6–11 Oslo, Norway Down Town Key Club January 12 Oslo, Norway Chateau NeufJanuary 15 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—

Kenny Drew’s TrioJanuary 19 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, broadcast—

Finn Ziegler’s QuartetJanuary 25 Köln, West Germany Päff Art—Tete Montoliu’s

TrioJanuary 31 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—


February 13 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, broadcast—Finn Otto Hansen’s Sextet

February 16 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Niels Jørgen Steen’s Beatkapel

March 7 Vanløse, Denmark Vanløse Bibliotek—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

March 21 Ribe, Denmark Thomas Clausen’s QuartetMarch 23 Flensborg, Flensborghus— Thomas

West Germany Clausen’s Quartet &Dexter Gordon

April 1 Køge, Denmark Pigalle—Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

xlv Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


May 2–4 Wien, Austria Porrhaus—Printers Jazz Band

May 6 Düsseldorf, Downtown Jazzkeller—West Germany Wolfgang Hefter’s Trio

May 9 Harlem, Holland Harlemse Jazz Club—Tete Montoliu’s Trio

May 10 Leiden, Holland Hot House—Tete Montoliu’s Trio

May 11 Den Haag, Holland Tete Montoliu’s TrioMay 12 Venlo, Holland Tete Montoliu’s TrioMay 14 Hilversum, Holland De Vaart—Tete Montoliu’s

TrioMay 15 Eindhoven, Holland Tete Montoliu’s TrioMay 20 Lyngby, Denmark Polyjoint—

Finn Ziegler’s QuartetMay 27 Orly, France Jazz Festival d’Orly—

Georges Arvanitas’ TrioCa. June 1 Amiens, France Maison de la Culture,

“Tribute to the Saxophone”—Georges Arvanitas’ Trio

June 5 Paris, France recording session—Autumn Leaves

June 21 Kolding, Denmark Multi-Musik Festival—Finn Ziegler’s Quartet

June 22 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, broadcast—Danish Radio Big Band

July 11 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Horace Parlan’s Trio

July 13 Åhus, Sweden Åhus Jazzfestival—Clark Terry & Kenny Drew’s Trio

July 20 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Horace Parlan’s Trio

July 25 Copenhagen, Denmark Horace Parlan’s TrioJuly 27 Malmö, Sweden Folkets Park, Musikfest—

Olle Larsson’s TrioJuly 30 Pescara, Italy Esplanade Club, Pescara

Jazz Festival—Kenny Drew’s Trio

August 10 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Ole Kock Hansen’s Trio

August 17 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Ole Kock Hansen’s Trio

August 27 Baden, Switzerland Aula der Kantonsschule—Clark Terry & Henri

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xlvi


Chaix’s TrioSeptember 5 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—

Ole Kock Hansen’s TrioSeptember 8 Hilversum, Holland VARA Studio, broadcast—

Cees Slinger’s TrioSeptember 25–26 Copenhagen, Denmark recording session—

Savage RoseSeptember 29 Horten, Norway Club Oldtimer—

Svein Alfredsen’s Quartet

September 30 Drammen, Norway Svein Alfredsen’s QuartetOctober 1 Oslo, Norway Studentbyens Jazzklub,

Sogn—Svein Alfredsen’s Quartet

October 2 Kongsberg, Norway Jazz Evidence—Svein Alfredsen’s Quartet

October 11 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Ole Kock Hansen’s Trio

October 17 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Ole Kock Hansen’s Trio

October 29 Århus, Denmark Tagskægget, Newport JazzFestival in Europe—Thomas Clausen’s Trio

November 4 Paris, France recording session—Georges Arvanitas’ Trio

November 11 Baden, Switzerland Aula der Kantonschule—Dexter Gordon & KennyDrew’s Trio

November 28 Barcelona, Spain recording session—Gentle Ben

December 14 Hannover, NDR Jazz Work Shop—West Germany Oscar Peterson’s Trio

December 16–17 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Ole Kock Hansen’s Trio

January 2, 1973 Copenhagen, Denmark Ole Kock Hansen’s TrioJanuary 11–12 Copenhagen, Denmark Ole Kock Hansen’s Trio

& Savage RoseJanuary 19 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish Radio, jam session January 27 Ijmuiden, Holland Hoogovens—

Cees Slinger’s TrioJanuary 29 Antwerpen, Belgium Taverne Van Rijswijk—

Wild Bill Davis DuoFebruary 2 Groningen, Holland De Koffer—Irv Rochlin’s

TrioFebruary 3 Rotterdam, Holland De Doelen—John Engels’

Trio

xlvii Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


February 6 Ijselstein, Holland Fulco—Irv Rochlin’s TrioFebruary 8 Dusseldorf Down Town Jazzkeller—

West Germany Irv Rochlin’s TrioFebruary 27 Copenhagen, Denmark Danish TV—Savage RoseMarch 6 Amsterdam, Holland Dexter Gordon &

Rob Agerbeek’s TrioMarch 6 Naaldwijk, Holland Jazz Club “De Wip”—

Dexter Gordon & Rob Agerbeek’s Trio

Ca. March 12–13 Rotterdam, Holland De Doelen—Dexter Gordon & Rob Agerbeek’s Trio

March 16 Hilversum, Holland TV, broadcast—Dexter Gordon & Rogier van Otterloo Orchestra

March 19 Stockholm, Sweden Stampen—Teddy Wilson’s Trio

March 20 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Alex Riel’s Trio

March 27 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Alex Riel’s Trio

April 6 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Alex Riel’s Triowith Joe Albany

April 19 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Alex Riel’s Trio

May 21 Århus, Denmark Tagskægget—Harry Edison, Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

May 22 Holbæk, Denmark Holbæk Jazzklub—Harry Edison, Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

May 23–24 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Harry Edison, Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

May 25 Næstved, Denmark Næstved Jazzklub—Harry Edison, Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

May 27 Ålborg, Denmark Harry Edison, Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

B E N W E B S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L A C T I V I T I E S xlviii


May 28 Århus, Denmark Tagskægget—Harry Edison, Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

May 29 Sønderborg, Denmark Sønderborg Bibliotek—Harry Edison, Benny Carter & Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra

May 31 Breda, Holland Breda Jazz Festival—Metropole Orchestra

Ca. June 1 Apeldoorn, Holland Orpheus—Rob Agerbeek’s Trio

June 3 Rotterdam, Holland Jazzclub B 14—Irv Rochlin’s Trio

June 9–13 Oslo, Norway Down Town Key Club—Henryk Lysiak’s Quartet

June 14 (morning) Drammen, Norway Drammen Teater—Henryk Lysiak’s Quartet

June 14 (evening) Oslo, Norway Down Town Key Club—Henryk Lysiak’s Quartet

June 15 or 16 Oslo, Norway Norwegian Radio, broadcastHenryk Lysiak’s Quartet

June 17 Oslo, Norway Club 7—Henryk Lysiak’s Quartet

June 24 Dinslaken, Jazz Festival West Germany

July 29 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Clark Terry Big Band

July 30 Copenhagen, Denmark Vognporten—Dick Sudhalter’s Band

August 24 Copenhagen, Denmark Jazzhus Montmartre—Horace Parlan’s Trio and other groups

September 6 Leiden, Holland Café Sociëteit De TweeSpieghels—Irv Rochlin’s Trio

xlix Ben Webster’s Musical Activities


appendix: ben webster's musical activities

Documents