Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster

The encounter of two saxophone legends (Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster) alone was already something special. With the Oscar Peterson rhythm section, they made history. The album kicked off with the intoxicating “Blues for Yolenda.” These guys were the masters of the blues. From the intro, Peterson (piano), Alvin Stoller (drums), and Ray Brown (double bass) laid down the blues mood. Hawkins and Webster joined in unison. Whereas Webster made his sax cried, Hawkins played a charming solo. What a magical moment. On “Tangerine,” Coleman began with such a beautiful solo and Webster took it up a notch. Absolutely astonishing.