Lester Young
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Lester Willis Young, nicknamed “Prez” (August 27, 1909 – March 15, 1959) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He is remembered as one of the finest of the players on his instrument and for much of the hipster ethos which came to be attached to jazz. Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie’s orchestra, Young is remembered as one of the finest, most influential players on his instrument, playing with a cool tone and sophisticated harmonies.
Since the days of Joe “King” Oliver, jazz has bestowed lofty titles upon its ace practitioners. Bessie Smith graduated from “Queen of the Blues” to “Empress of the Blues,” Benny Goodman was proclaimed “King of Swing”, there was a “Duke” Ellington, a “Count” Basie, and Lester Young was dubbed Prez (short for president, a title given to him by Billie Holiday). “We called my mother ‘the Duchess,’” Holiday said in a 1959 interview, “so he named me ‘Lady Day’ and I called him ‘Prez’—we were the royal family.”[3] It has been suggested that Young was called “Prez” long before meeting her, but there is no evidence of this.
Young was viewed as an eccentric by those he chose to exclude from his circle (those he did not trust). He did so by creating his own language that his friends could understand, that might baffle outsiders. Those on the outside viewed it as a rococo and often inscrutable personal slang
Since the days of Joe “King” Oliver, jazz has bestowed lofty titles upon its ace practitioners. Bessie Smith graduated from “Queen of the Blues” to “Empress of the Blues,” Benny Goodman was proclaimed “King of Swing”, there was a “Duke” Ellington, a “Count” Basie, and Lester Young was dubbed Prez (short for president, a title given to him by Billie Holiday). “We called my mother ‘the Duchess,’” Holiday said in a 1959 interview, “so he named me ‘Lady Day’ and I called him ‘Prez’—we were the royal family.”[3] It has been suggested that Young was called “Prez” long before meeting her, but there is no evidence of this.
Young was viewed as an eccentric by those he chose to exclude from his circle (those he did not trust). He did so by creating his own language that his friends could understand, that might baffle outsiders. Those on the outside viewed it as a rococo and often inscrutable personal slang
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With the Oscar Peterson Trio
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Jazz Masters 30 - Lester Young
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The Lester Young Story
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Shoutbox
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bernarducs wrote:
I can to live just with his music.
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Druid66 wrote:
Prez was one of the indelible ones -- watch "Round Midnight" to see a version of him.
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jiveraptor wrote:
"He is remembered ... for much of the hipster ethos" time sure hasn't treated this word well
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strajnic wrote:
Cool!
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ginandjukes wrote:
@ Mezzanine - Pick up some of his early stuff. I'd suggest either the Commodore or Keynote recordings. Many argue he was a different (better?) player before his 50s Verve (Norgran, Clef) recordings.
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Mezzanine_ wrote:
i'd like a sugestion, i have only one cd by Prez, which is Prez and Teddy Wilson Quartet, which should i get next? I've listened to this one over and over again
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barryvs wrote:
YES.
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kevnik wrote:
Glory be to the Prez for all of his wonders
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juanchopepe2 wrote:
the prez have stylish...
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mgarutti wrote:
A Sax Wizard
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eldedobud wrote:
Glad I found this station. Just may sell my 3 television sets. Great stuff but I've got to leave ya. Night all.
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eldedobud wrote:
eldedo: how is it possible that the kids don't recognize the beauty & workmanship of this music?
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deftplays wrote:
also checkout Teddy Wilson
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mcvouty wrote:
How in the world is it that Lester Young doesn't have his own group yet? Well, he does now: Lester Young. Prez lives!
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deft0n3 wrote:
such a master!
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espapel wrote:
Y todo afuera sigue opaco y apenado, como un tema de Lester Young, que siempre habla de alguna manera de la muerte.
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Younghappy wrote:
Yes.
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kturner423 wrote:
Obama is not the President. Lester is!!!
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berban wrote:
yes the best
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MilesBachman wrote:
happy b-day, prez.
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Recent Activity
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ohioiom, ombromarco and SaxKing added Lester Young to their libraries. 36 minutes ago
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thomas10 wrote about Lester Young in Famous Dead Musicians/Artists and Causes of Death (Pt 2, Age 37-50). yesterday afternoon
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idlamb, speedelich, Tanzmitlaibach and 2 other people added Lester Young to their libraries. yesterday morning
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joet3407 tagged Lester Young with bebop, swing and jazz. Saturday afternoon
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furabo2000 tagged Lester Young with ‘jazz’. Thursday evening
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Denis_Golovatiy, Melpomene_24, Belle_Chris and 4 other people added Lester Young to their libraries. Wednesday evening
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Parisblues tagged Lester Young with jasslele, saxo, prez and one other tag. last week
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cgern tagged Lester Young with ‘saxophone’. last week
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Groups (32)
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Bill Evans
54 members
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Round Midnight
272 members
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Blue Note Records
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Great Black Music
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Swing
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