The Frog

"Throughout his long career tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, lovingly nicknamed "The Frog," never lost his lyrical, breathy tone on the instrument and he has to be considered one of the best of the transitional jazz tenor players who emerged in the prewar years. This tight set features several of Webster's earliest sides, including tracks he recorded with bandleaders Bennie Moten, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Benny Carter and others. The classic "Cotton Tail," recorded in the early '40s with Ellington, is here, along with a striking version of "St. James Infirmary" and a fast, strong and busy "The Voice of Old Man River."" (Steve Leggett, Allmusic)