Big Ben : Celebrating Ben Webster

Ben Webster (1909 – 1973) was a true giant of the tenor sax whose career spanned several generations of jazz. Pianist Alex Webb has worked with saxophonist Tony Kofi to put together tonight's show touching on key aspects of Webster’s career, including the acclaimed years with Duke Ellington, his work with Billie Holiday, his visits to Ronnie Scott’s in London, his later years in Copenhagen and his remarkable work with strings.

The band’s bassist, Dave Green, played and recorded with Ben Webster in the 1960s, and drummer Clark Tracey’s legendary father Stan accompanied Webster on his 1960s UK dates. Popular sax player Alan Barnes is also a key figure in tonight’s lineup, playing a host of reed instruments.

Tonight, the group is joined by the JAM Collective – a young string section from Tomorrow’s Warriors - and the show is narrated by Lulu Pierre, who sings some of the songs on which Billie Holiday partnered with Webster.

Lulu Pierre - vocals & narration, Alex Webb – piano & MD, Tony Kofi - tenor sax, Alan Barnes - baritone, tenor, alto sax & clarinet, Ben Cummings – trumpet, David Lalljee – trombone, Abbie Davis, Annalise Lam, Miranda Lewis-Brown, Julia dos Reis (JAM Collective) – strings, Dave Green – double bass, Clark Tracey - drums