“Lester Young was one of the most influential saxophonists of the swing era. His light, airy sound, and the melodic grace of his improvisations were in direct contrast to Hawkins's gruffer, more harmonically-based approach. Young's velvety tone and rapid articulation were major influences on the bebop generation of saxophonists that followed, notably Charlie Parker. Lester Young was one of the true jazz giants, a tenor saxophonist who came up with a completely different conception in which to play his horn, floating over bar lines with a light tone rather than adopting Coleman Hawkins' then-dominant forceful approach. A non-conformist, Young (nicknamed ‘Pres’ by Billie Holiday) had the ironic experience in the 1950s of hearing many young tenors try to sound exactly like him. ...”
2017 July: In Washington (1956), 2018 August: The Jazz Giants '56 (1956), 2019 March: Lester Young - March 15, 1959
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