Lester Leaps In: Live at Birdland 1951-1952

Unreleased performances of the influential tenor saxophonist recorded at Birdland in 1951 and 1952 for the "Jumpin With Symphony Sid" radio show

The never-before-released set captures one of the most influential tenor saxophonists of all time, live at NYC's iconic jazz venue Birdland. It features eight tracks recorded on four different dates in 1951 and '52 for ABC Radio's famed "Jumpin with Symphony Sid." Host Sid Torin introduces several of the tracks, one of which, "Neenah," includes a shoutout to audience member Billie Holiday who originated the bebop legend's nickname "Prez" (for "President of the Tenor Sax"). The backing bands feature pianists John Lewis, Cyril Haynes, and Earl Knight; percussionists "Papa" Jo Jones and Lee Abrams; bassist Gene Ramey; and trumpeter Jesse Drakes.

The album will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl and features rare photos with extensive liner notes from jazz historian Scott Yanow. Here's an excerpt of the performance notes: In 1951, the 41-year old saxophonist was still very much in his prime, leading a supportive and swinging quartet. The first three numbers on this album are from Jan. 20, 1951 and have Young joined by pianist John Lewis who was a year away from forming the Modern Jazz Quartet, bassist Gene Ramey, and drummer Jo Jones.

Five weeks later on Feb. 24, 1951, Lester Young was back at Birdland, this time with pianist Cyril Haynes along with Ramey and Jones. Young is in the spotlight on a medium-slow version "These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You." & Pres' simple up-tempo riff blues "Neenah" Side two moves ahead to May 19, 1951 with trumpeter Jesse Drakes making the group a quintet. Young and Drakes make for an appealing frontline on spirited versions of "Indiana" and "How High The Moon" from the May 19 broadcast. The final selection from a May 2, 1952 broadcast brings back Young, Drakes and Ramey but with pianist Earl Knight and drummer Lee Abrams. The quintet concludes this compilation with a romping version of "Deed I Do" that makes one look forward to future releases in this valuable series.

1: Lester Leaps In (Live at Birdland, January 20, 1951)
2: I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You (Live at Birdland, January 20, 1951)
3: Up and Atom (Live at Birdland, January 20, 1951)
4: These Foolish Things (Live at Birdland, February 24, 1951)
5: Neenah (Live at Birdland, February 24, 1951)
6: (Back Home Again In) Indiana [live at Birdland, May 19, 1951]
7: How High the Moon (Live at Birdland, May 19, 1951)
8: 'Deed I Do (Live at Birdland, May 2, 1952)

Number of Discs: 1

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