#JazzSky To conclude #PrezWeek; here’s Lester Young playing ‘Mean To Me’. One aside: it’s testament to Prez that the Lennie Tristano ‘school’ took over his repertoire. Lee Konitz even transcribed Prez’ solo on ‘Lady Be Good’ and made the head (Tenor Lee). m.youtube.com/watch?v=T_NU...
#PrezWeek. C.1920s
jazz solo construction was hostage to harmonic dissonance at the expense of lyricism. Saxophonists would ‘strut the bar’, often in competition, honking and bellowing, over-blowing and screeching with no discernible relation to the melody. John Coltrane began like that. #JazzSky
#PrezWeek. Lester Young.
‘These foolish things remind me of you’
Prez was the master of understatement. That tone and style would launch a lyrical antidote to the rabble rousing that dates back to Earl Bostic.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=J050...
#PrezWeek. Lady Day and Lester Young. “I Can’t Get Started”. It doesn’t get better. #Jazzsky. Was there a better jazz singer? Ans did she have a better accompaniment?
m.youtube.com/watch?v=oBCS...
