Cotton Tail and Ben Webster
Episode description
(72) “Cotton Tail” and Ben Webster
Standards Ratting 8 Difficulty Rating 5
Ben Webster, born in 1909 in Kansas City, Missouri, was a leading tenor saxophonist of the Swing Era, known for his rich, raspy tone and blues-infused phrasing. Bridging the styles of Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins, he became a key figure in Duke Ellington’s Orchestra during the early 1940s. This period, known as the "Blanton-Webster years," produced some of Ellington’s finest recordings. One standout is “Cotton Tail” (1940), a fast-paced, rhythm-changes-based composition featuring Webster’s iconic two-chorus solo. His playing blends lyrical swing with bold melodic invention, especially in the bridge, where he builds intensity with repeated motifs and upper-register runs. The arrangement showcases Ellington’s mastery and his band’s precision, with standout solos from Harry Carney and Ellington himself. Cotton Tail remains a definitive jazz recording, capturing Webster at his expressive best and solidifying his place in jazz history. Later versions, like Oscar Peterson’s 1959 take, reimagine the tune in a small-group setting.