Coleman Hawkins – Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster (Acoustic Sounds Series)

Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster is far more than a meeting of two jazz greats—it’s a vivid document of the tenor saxophone’s expressive range. Recorded in 1957 and now reissued in the Acoustic Sounds Series, this album captures Hawkins and Webster at the height of their powers, their contrasting tones weaving a dialogue that’s at once competitive and deeply sympathetic. Hawkins’ muscular authority meets Webster’s breathy lyricism, especially on ballads like ‘It Never Entered My Mind’ and ‘Blues for Yolande.’ The rhythm section—Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, and Alvin Stoller—lays down a supple, swinging foundation, giving the leaders space to explore every nuance. This session stands as a testament to jazz as a collaborative art form where tradition and personal voice merge. For vinyl collectors, this pressing offers exceptional warmth and detail, making each note feel immediate and alive. If you appreciate jazz that’s both historically rich and emotionally present, this album is essential—a chance to experience two giants in their element, pushing each other toward sublime artistry.