Big Ben: Ben Webster in Europe (1967)

  • NR
  • 01/01/1967 (NL)
  • Music, Documentary
  • 31m

Overview

In the late sixties, the American saxophone player and living jazz legend Ben Webster lived in Amsterdam for a year. Webster, who was born in Kansas City in 1909, was a unique personality in the world of jazz and blues. In the thirties, he played with all the great names. During his Amsterdam period, he stayed with an elderly landlady, Mrs Hardloper, with whom he appeared on a national talk show. In conversations with Van der Keuken, he muses on the past; on the fantastic experience of playing in the renowned Duke Ellington band; or on one of his best friends, who was so deft at eating with a knife and fork. Short, fragmented remarks, which Van der Keuken has edited in a loose, improvised editing style.

Johan van der Keuken

Director

Cast

Don Byas's headshot

Don Byas

Michiel de Ruyter's headshot

Michiel de Ruyter

Rob Langereis's headshot

Rob Langereis

Jimmy Parsons's headshot

Jimmy Parsons

Cees Slings's headshot

Cees Slings

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