Lester Young – Blue Lester

Lester Young was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist. Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie’s orchestra, Young was one of the most influential players on his instrument. In contrast to many of his hard-driving peers, Young played with a relaxed, cool tone and used sophisticated harmonies, using what one critic called “a free-floating style, wheeling and diving like a gull, banking with low, funky riffs that pleased dancers and listeners alike”. Known for his hip, introverted style, he invented or popularized much of the hipster jargon which came to be associated with the music. Blue Lester is an album recorded in 1944 and 1945 and contains first takes on 12 tunes from Lester Young along with Count Basie, Freddie Greene, Junior Mance, Jessie Drake, Roy Elliot, Leroy Jackson, Charlie Shavers, Johnny Guarnieri and Hank D’amico.

Label: Savoy Records
Cat. # SVY16069