Lester Young
Tenor Sax Solo on
Pennies From Heaven

About

Lester Young's tenor saxophone solo opens the improvising on this uptempo rendition of "Pennies from Heaven" from the 1955 Pres & Sweets session. Young takes one chorus over the 32-bar ABAC form in B-flat at a brisk 182 BPM, setting the pace on Arthur Johnston's 1936 standard with his characteristically relaxed approach to fast tempos. Despite the driving speed, Young's phrasing retains its signature airiness, creating the illusion of ease that was central to his musical identity. Edison, Ellis, and Young himself return for subsequent solos in this four-soloist performance.

Lester Young was 45 to 46 years old at the time.