Verve is set to release a vinyl reissue of Ben Webster’s classic 1957 album, *King of the Tenors*, as part of their Acoustic Sounds Series. This album has been remastered from the original analog tapes and will be pressed on high-quality 180-gram vinyl, featuring deluxe gatefold packaging.
Originally titled *The Consummate Artistry of Ben Webster*, the album was first released in 1954 under the Norgran label. It was reissued as *King of the Tenors* when it joined Verve Records in 1957. The album includes Webster’s own composition “Bounce Blues” along with jazz standards like Duke Ellington’s “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and “Cotton Tail.”
In the 1930s, Webster played with jazz greats like Benny Carter, Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington, although he had a rocky relationship with Ellington and left after three years. Verve helped launch Webster’s solo career, leading to successful albums throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including *Soulville* and *Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster*.
Earlier this year, Acoustic Sounds also reissued *Ben Webster And Associates*, which was the last project by founder Norman Granz with Verve. The Acoustic Sounds Series, started in 2020, focuses on high-quality pressings of iconic jazz albums. It features works from legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Sonny Rollins.
Bruce Resnikoff, President & CEO of UMe, emphasized the goal of providing the best versions of classic albums for vinyl and jazz lovers. Check out the Verve Acoustic Sounds Series now!
