New CD ESP 4040 Lester Young / Live at Birdland

Lester Young is one of the most influential tenor saxophonists of the bebop era. ESP-Disk is now releasing previously unavailable 1950fs broadcasts recorded at Birdland, with an array of stellar side-performers. It is our pleasure to pay homage to Prez (Lester Young) with this disc.


Personnel

Lester Young: tenor saxophone
Don Ferrara & Jesse Drakes: trumpet
Horace Silver & Earl Knight: piano
Franklin Skeete & Gene Ramey: bass
Gus Johnson & Lee Abrahams: drums


Track Listing
1. Oh, Lady Be Good
2. A Foggy Day
3. In a Little Spanish Town
4. Lester Leaps In
5. Theme: Lullaby of Birdland
6. Announcement
7. Lester Leaps In
8. Announcement
9. Polkadots and Moonbeams
10. Up 'n Adam
11. In a Little Spanish Town / Theme:
12. Theme: Lullaby of Birdland
13. Announcement
14. Three Little Words
15. Lester and Announcer Speak
16. These Foolish Things
17. Announcement
18. Blues in G
19. Tea for Two

Track 1-7, January 15th 1953
Lester Young: tenor sax, Jesse Jakes: trumpet, Horace Siver: piano, Franklin Skeete: bass, Lee Abrams: drums
Tracks 8-12, August 7th 1956
Lester Young: tenor sax, Don Ferrara: trumpet, Bill Triglia: piano, Gene Ramey: bass, Gus Johnson: drums
Tracks 13-19, August 15th, 1956
Same rhythm section as above but with an unkown trumpet player replacing Ferrara.

Credits

Research, compilation, audio transfer & producer: Michael D. Anderson. Digital Restoration: Douglas McGregor. Graphic Design: Peov. Photos provided by The Institute of Jazz Studies.


Press Quotes

"Young has many fine moments on this collection, excelling on both his uptempo "Lester Leaps In" and introspective ballad performances such as "These Foolish Things" and "Polka Dots and Moonbeams."" - Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

"Live at Birdland is a must-own for Prez completists" - Graham L. Flanagan, All About Jazz

(ESP-Disk')