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A 1944 session by tenor saxophonist Lester Young illustrates what would in a short time be more common in jazz: creating a new melody (head) with a tune’s original chord changes. There are two takes available on CD, but it’s the originally unissued take 2 that has a groovier feeling and is, in many ways, a more interesting performance. Lester’s tone has a huskiness not heard in his earlier work, leaning toward a Coleman Hawkins sound. Lester was deeply hurt by the death of his Basie section mate, Herschel Evans, who was a Hawkins disciple, and his playing thereafter incorporated aspects of Evans’ style. There are also fine solos by Joe Bushkin (piano), Bill Coleman (trumpet), and Dicky Wells (trombone), whose entrance after Lester’s solo almost sounds like a scream of approval.
Chris Tyle - Jazz Musician and Historian
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