How about some love for Ben Webster!

Not sure if he even gets a mention in r/jazz, at least I have not seen any. Wasn't even anywhere in a recent "most underrated album" post.

Ben Webster was considered one of the "big three" of swing tenors along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. He had an immediately identifiable, unique style. He might have the warmest tone on ballads of any musician I have ever heard.

In 1940 he became Ellington's first major tenor soloist and stayed for 3 years. I saw someone post something about the "Blanton Webster Band" in an Ellington thread, which is an absolutely fantastic listen.

Great albums included "King of the Tenors" and "Meet You at the Fair" - his final recording in the US, in addition to Ellington's Blanton Webster Band.

But if you were going to listen to just one recording, I would highly recommend Soulville, where he teams up with the Oscar Peterson trio that includes Herb Ellis and Ray Brown.

Cheers!