Of the people who had the biggest impact on jazz, Lester “Pres” Young (1909-1959) is, sadly, the one whose music is the least known. His recordings of the late 1930s and early 1940s probably had as much impact on all of jazz (not only saxophonists) as Bird and Trane did later—including their impact on young Bird and Trane! But in my experience, if people know Young’s music at all, it’s the Verve recordings of the 1950s, which—let’s face it—are in a quite different style than his early works, and often capture him in very poor shape. (There are also some high points, including some of my favorites. I’ll post more on this later.) If you are one of the many who only know those Verves, you are in for a shock—but a very pleasant one! And if you already know and love Pres’s early music, this might become your new favorite recording.
These two minutes of music contain the seeds of bebop (Jo Jones' switch from hi hat to ride) AND rock & roll (Lester's brilliant riffing and one-noting adapted for electric guitar with string bending) and of course his ability to soar above the changes highlighting anything that he deemed worth highlighting on a dime, the essence of true improvisation. Jazz is full of hard acts to follow bur for my money Lester is the hardest, such subtle brilliance makes me want to cry with tears of joy.
Incredible technique. Even what guitarist was doing at 4 beats to a bar at the tempo,
many of the modern guys couldn't do. Very impressive!
Fantastic solo - and good analysis....
Hi Lewis,
Thanks for this amazing solo. Worth many listens. And also for the links to Loren and Ethan. Cheers.
This is amazing, thank you!
https://youtu.be/7sqoFqc91kc
1938! A flatted fifth here and there this would have been bop. Quite brilliant
These two minutes of music contain the seeds of bebop (Jo Jones' switch from hi hat to ride) AND rock & roll (Lester's brilliant riffing and one-noting adapted for electric guitar with string bending) and of course his ability to soar above the changes highlighting anything that he deemed worth highlighting on a dime, the essence of true improvisation. Jazz is full of hard acts to follow bur for my money Lester is the hardest, such subtle brilliance makes me want to cry with tears of joy.