Lester Young

Lester Willis Young August 27 1909 March 15 1959 nicknamed Pres or Prez was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and sometime clarinetist Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basies orchestra Young was one of the most influential players on his instrument In contrast to many of his harddriving peers Young played with a relaxed cool tone and used sophisticated harmonies using a freefloating style wheeling and diving like a gull banking with low funky riffs that pleased dancers and listeners alike