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Lester Young

Hailed as "the President of all the tenors", Lester Young revolutionised saxophone playing with the Count Basie band. Geoffrey Smith picks highlights from his post-Basie career in the 1940s and 50s.

First broadcast 23/03/2013.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 22 Feb 2015 00:00

Music Played

  • Lester Young

    When You're Smiling

    Composer: Shay, Goodwin, Fisher Performers: Buck Clayton, t; Benny Morton, tb; Lester Young, ts; Teddy Wilson, Freddy Green, g; Walter Page, b; Jo Jones, d; Billie Holiday, v. January 1938

    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • P1129. Tr.8 (2.47).
  • Lester Young

    Lester Leaps In

    Composer: Young Performers: Buck Clayton, t; Dickie Wells, tb; Lester Young, ts; Count Basie, p; Freddy Green, g; Walter Page, b; Jo Jones, d. September 1939

    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • P1130; Tr.2 (3.13).
  • Lester Young

    Sometimes I'm Happy

    Composer: Caesar, Youmans Performers: Lester Young, ts; Johnny Guarneri, p; Slam Stewart, b; Sid Catlett, d. December 1943

    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • P1131. Tr. 1 (3.03).
  • Lester Young

    Three Little Words

    Composer: Kalmar, Ruby Performers: Lester Young, ts; Bill Coleman, t; Dickie Wells, tb; Joe Bushkin, p; John Simmons, b; Jo Jones, d. March 1944

    • Kansas City, 5, 6 & 7 1938 - 1944.
    • Classics.
    • Classics 912. Tr.14 (2.51).
  • Lester Young

    I Got Rhythm

    Composer: Gershwin Performers: Lester Young, ts; Dickie Wells, tb; Bill Coleman, t; Ellis Larkins, p; Freddie Green, g; Al Hall, b; Jo Jones, d. December 1943.

    • The Jazz and Vocal Collection.
    • Avid.
    • AMSC 568. Tr. 17 (4.11).
  • Lester Young

    Ghost of a Chance

    Composer: Young, Washington, Crosby Performers: Lester Young, ts; Freddie Green, g; Count Basie, p; Rodney Richardson, b; Shadow Wilson, d. May 1944

    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • P1131. Tr. 11 (3.21).
  • Lester Young

    D.B. Blues

    Composer: Young, Beaks Performers: Lester Young, ts; Vic Dickenson, tb; Dodo Marmarosa, p; Red Callender, b; Henry Tucker Green, d. December 1945

    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • P1131. Tr. 14 (2.59).
  • Lester Young

    I Want to be Happy

    Composer: Caesar, Youmans Performers: Lester Young, ts; Nat King Cole, p; Buddy Rich, d. December 1945

    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • P1131. Tr. 21 (3.56).
  • Jazz at The Philharmonic

    I Got Rhythm

    Composer: G & I Gershwin Performers: Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, ts; Buck Clayton, t; Charlie Parker, Willie Smith, as; Kenny Kersey, p; Irving Ashby, g; Billy Hardnott, b; Buddy Rich, d. April 1946

    • Jazz at the Philharmonic: The First Ten Years.
    • Proper.
    • P1425. CD2, Tr.3 (extract, 2.00).
  • Lester Young

    Jumpin' with Symphony Sid

    Composer: Young, Beaks Performers: Lester Young, ts; Argonne Thornton, p; Fred Lacy, g; Rodney Richardson, b; Lyndell Marshall, d. February 1947

    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • P1132. Tr. 8 (3.09).
  • Lester Young

    Ad-lib Blues

    Composer: Young Performers: Lester Young, ts; Oscar Peterson, p; Barney Kessel, g; Ray Brown, b; J.C. Heard, d. November 1952

    • The President Plays with The Oscar Peterson Trio.
    • Lonehill Jazz.
    • LHJ 10326. Tr.1 (5.51).
  • Lester Young

    This Year's Kisses

    Composer: Berlin Performers: Lester Young, ts; Teddy Wilson, p; Roy Eldridge, t; Vic Dickenson, tb; Freddie Green, g; Gene Ramey, b; Jo Jones, d. January 1956

    • Jazz Giants ‘56.
    • Lonehill Jazz.
    • LHJ10330. Tr.4 (6.42).
  • Lester Young

    All of Me

    Composer: Simmons, Marks Performers: Lester Young, ts; Teddy Wilson, p; Gene Ramey, b; Jo Jones, d. January 1956

    • Pres and Teddy.
    • Lonehill Jazz.
    • LHJ10327. Tr.1 (5.05).
  • Lester Young

    When You're Smiling

    Performer: Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra. Performer: Billie Holiday.
    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • 8.
  • Count Basie, Count Basie & Lester Young

    Lester Leaps In

    • Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • 2.
  • Lester Young

    Sometimes I'm Happy

    Performer: Lester Young Quartet. Performer: Johnny Guarneri.
    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • 1.
  • LESTER YOUNG KANSAS CITY SIX & Lester Young

    Three Little Words

    • Kansas City 5, 6 & 7.
    • Classics.
    • 14.
  • Dicky Wells and His Orchestra & Lester Young

    I Got Rhythm

    • THE JAZZ AND VOCAL COLLECTION.
    • AVID.
    • 17.
  • Shadow Wilson, Freddie Green, Rodney Richardson, Count Basie, Lester Young & Lester Young

    Ghost of A Chance

    • Lester Leaps Again.
    • Proper.
    • 11.
  • Lester Young

    D.B.Blues

    Performer: Lester Young. Performer: Lester Young and His Band.
    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • 14.
  • Lester Young-Buddy Rich Trio, Lester Young & Lester Young

    I Want To Be Happy

    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper.
    • 21.
  • Jazz at The Philharmonic

    I Got Rhythm

    • Jazz at the Philharmonic - The First Ten Years.
    • Properbox.
    • 3.
  • Lester Young

    Jumpin' With Symphony Sid

    Performer: Lester Young. Performer: Lester Young and His Band.
    • The Lester Young Story.
    • Proper Box Uk.
    • 8.
  • Lester Young

    Ad-lib Blues

    Performer: Lester Young. Performer: Lester Young and His Band.
    • Lester Young the President Plays with The Oscar Peterson Trio.
    • Lonehill Jazz.
    • 1.
  • Lester Young

    This Year's Kisses

    Performer: TEDDY WILSON ORCHESTRA. Performer: Billie Holiday.
    • Jazz Giants 1956.
    • Lonehill Jazz.
    • 4.
  • Lester Young

    All of Me

    Performer: JOE JONES. Performer: Teddy Wilson. Performer: Lester Young. Performer: Lester Young. Performer: Gene Ramey.
    • Pres and Teddy: The Lester Young Teddy Wilson Quartet.
    • Verve.
    • 1.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 24 Mar 2013 00:00
  • Sun 22 Feb 2015 00:00

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