Lester Young

Lester Willis Young (August 27, 1909 – March 15, 1959), nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 27, 1909 (Woodville), Died March 15, 1959 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1937 - 1949

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor saxophone, clarinet, saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 115 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Vocalion	22282	10-in.	1/12/1938	On the sentimental side	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Vocalion	22283	10-in.	1/12/1938	Back in your own backyard	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Vocalion	22284	10-in.	1/12/1938	When a woman loves a man	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Vocalion	23467	10-in.	9/15/1938	The very thought of you	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Vocalion	23468	10-in.	9/15/1938	I can't get started	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Vocalion	23469	10-in.	9/15/1938	I've got a date with a dream	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Vocalion	23470	10-in.	9/15/1938	You can't be mine (and someone else's too)	Billie Holiday	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Decca	61542	10-in.	1/21/1937	Honeysuckle rose	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet
Decca	61543	10-in.	1/21/1937	Pennies from heaven	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet
Decca	61544	10-in.	1/21/1937	Swinging at the Daisy Chain	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet
Decca	61545	10-in.	1/21/1937	Roseland shuffle	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet
Decca	62078	10-in.	3/26/1937	Exactly like you	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62079	10-in.	3/26/1937	Boo-Hoo	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62080	10-in.	3/26/1937	The glory of love	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62081	10-in.	3/26/1937	Boogie woogie (I may be wrong)	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62331	10-in.	7/7/1937	Smarty	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62332	10-in.	7/7/1937	One o'clock jump	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62333	10-in.	7/7/1937	Listen my children (and you shall hear)	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62334	10-in.	7/7/1937	John's idea	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62511	10-in.	8/9/1937	Good morning blues	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62512	10-in.	8/9/1937	Our love was meant to be	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62513	10-in.	8/9/1937	Time out	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62514	10-in.	8/9/1937	Topsy	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62682	10-in.	10/13/1937	I keep remembering	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone
Decca	62683	10-in.	10/13/1937	Out the window	Count Basie Orchestra		instrumentalist, tenor saxophone

(Results 51-75 of 115 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Young, Lester," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/211293.

Young, Lester. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/211293.

"Young, Lester." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.