Lester Young, universally known as Pres, was one of the most influential figures in jazz history. While celebrated primarily as a tenor saxophonist whose light, floating tone reshaped the instrument's vocabulary, Young also contributed a number of original compositions to the jazz repertoire. His best-known piece, Lester Leaps In, recorded in 1939 with the Kansas City Seven, became one of the era's signature jazz tunes. Other originals include Taxi War Dance and D.B. Blues. Red Boy Blues, featured on AllSolos, is a representative example of his blues writing. Young's compositions, like his improvisations, tended toward relaxed phrasing and melodic clarity, serving as effective vehicles for spontaneous invention. Born August 27, 1909, in Woodville, Mississippi, Young rose to prominence as a member of the Count Basie Orchestra and maintained a close musical friendship with Billie Holiday, who gave him the Pres nickname. He died on March 15, 1959.
