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Lester Young, 1909-1959
When Billie Holiday nicknamed Lester Young "the President"––or "Prez" for short––she paid tribute to the superior musicianship of one of jazz's most influential innovators. A tenor saxophonist with an airy and melodic style, Young first rose to prominence in the mid-1930s during his association with Count Basie's band. Between 1937 and 1946, his recordings with Holiday––which included memorable tracks such as "All of Me" (1941)––furthered his reputation. During the postwar period, Young became a foundational figure in the cool jazz movement, inspiring a new generation of musicians -- including Charlie Parker and Stan Getz -- with his lyricism.
In a departure from his usual mode of photographing musicians, Herman Leonard evoked Young's presence with a still-life composition. Created when Young stepped away to begin a recording session, the artful arrangement features the musician's well-worn instrument case, trademark "porkpie" hat, sheet music for "All of Me," and his lighted cigarette balanced atop a Coke bottle. |