Biography
During the 1930s and 1940s, Webster performed alongside several prominent big band figures such as Bennie Moten, Jimmie Lunceford, Cab Calloway, Charlie Barnet, and Count Basie. An uncle provided his initial instruction on the trumpet. In the middle of the 1920s, he enrolled at Fisk University, likely crossing paths there with Lunceford, whose own attendance at the institution occurred in that same period. Upon completing his studies, Webster went back to Kansas City, where he spent some time working as an embalmer prior to resuming his musical pursuits. Between 1927 and 1934, his collaborations included stints with George E. Lee, Bennie Moten, Jap Allen, Lunceford, Tommy Douglas, and Eli Rice.
He returned to Lunceford's ensemble in 1935 and remained a member through 1944, after which he became part of Calloway's orchestra. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Webster maintained periodic associations with Calloway while also performing under additional leaders, notably Barnet during 1946-1947 and again from 1952 to 1953. Further affiliations encompassed work with Sy Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Eddie Wilcox, the latter having assumed leadership of Lunceford's group following the director's passing in 1947. In the early 1950s, Webster joined forces with Basie.
Full-time musical engagements ceased for Webster in 1953, leading him to accept a position with the U.S. Immigration Service, in addition to employment with the New York City subway system. Occasional performances and recordings persisted into the early 1960s until his death from a respiratory ailment in 1966.
He returned to Lunceford's ensemble in 1935 and remained a member through 1944, after which he became part of Calloway's orchestra. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Webster maintained periodic associations with Calloway while also performing under additional leaders, notably Barnet during 1946-1947 and again from 1952 to 1953. Further affiliations encompassed work with Sy Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Eddie Wilcox, the latter having assumed leadership of Lunceford's group following the director's passing in 1947. In the early 1950s, Webster joined forces with Basie.
Full-time musical engagements ceased for Webster in 1953, leading him to accept a position with the U.S. Immigration Service, in addition to employment with the New York City subway system. Occasional performances and recordings persisted into the early 1960s until his death from a respiratory ailment in 1966.
Albums
