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Our nation's greatest presidents were terrific improvisers. But on this President's Day, JazzWax salutes tenor saxophonist Lester Young, whom Billie Holiday named "the Prez" for his take-charge, cool playing style. In honor of the Prez, here's one of the finest jazz shorts ever made: Jammin' the Blues (1944), directed by Gjon Mili. Anytime someone tells you they don't quite get jazz, send them the link to this one:
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Yeah, Happy Anniversary to the man who changed my (jazz) life.
Here's another magic improvisation, again on the blues:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkO1VXgs_wY
Lester "Prez" Young, your sound won't be forgotten!
Posted by: Brew | February 20, 2012 at 06:59 AM
P.S. -- Which "anniversary"? Since Prez means so much to me, every day could easily be a "Lester Young Day".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w5PekfV4dY
Posted by: Brew | February 20, 2012 at 07:43 AM
I wasn't familiar with this fine musician. A "Prez" indeed.
Posted by: Steven C. | February 20, 2012 at 02:31 PM
In addition to some fine playing and jitterbugging, the film has some expert lip-syncing. Only the pianist's right-hand is clearly out-of-sync with the music. Nevertheless you can hear Lester's horn playing itself while he takes a breath at 2:24, 2:39 and 4:53. Jacquet's horn has the final word of his solo, playing the last note after he takes it out of his mouth. The drum hand-off is especially impressive, and note how the bass drum goes off by itself as Sid jumps off the stool at 9:13.
Posted by: David | February 20, 2012 at 05:26 PM
Big inspiration! I love The Movie Round Midnight too ...
Posted by: Jonnie | February 20, 2012 at 06:41 PM
So were any American presidents big jazz fans? Aside from Mr. Clinton that is....he wrote a beautiful letter to Ella that is up here on the wall at the Foundation.
The presidency is sort of rigid...and jazz isn't...
Posted by: Fran Morris Rosman | February 21, 2012 at 12:24 AM
Fran, When Dizzy played at the White House, Jimmy Carter spoke eloquently about how he was inspired by jazz growing up. Of course it may have been his speech-writer who was so inspired, but Jimmy did sing a chorus of "Salt Peanuts" with the band.
Promoter Al Rose claims that Harry Truman sat in with a band that he took to the White House while James P Johnson took advantage of the open bar. He says that Baby Dodds, who was oblivious to the world outside of music, commented afterwords that the little guy who sat in on piano didn't seem to know many tunes.
Posted by: David | February 21, 2012 at 02:47 AM