Lester Young was a saxophone virtuoso who left an indelible mark on the world of jazz. His distinctive, soft, and fine tone on the horn earned him widespread recognition in the late 1930s.
Young's illustrious career began when he joined the Count Basie orchestra and recorded his first tracks with the legendary bandleader in 1936. He was also close friends with the iconic singer Billie Holiday, with whom he recorded numerous songs, including many with pianist Teddy Wilson, for Columbia Records.
In 1940, Young left the Basie band and embarked on a freelance career, which saw him collaborate with a variety of musicians and record for various labels.
However, his life took a dramatic turn in 1944 when he was drafted into the army. The racial tensions that were rampant in the army at the time led to Young's arrest, and this experience marked the beginning of a period of turmoil in his life.
As a result, Young began to struggle with his addiction to alcohol, which negatively impacted his performances. Despite this, he continued to record music, releasing several notable tracks on Alladin Records, including the famous "D.B Blues" and "Jumpin' with Symphony Sid".
In the 1950s, Young signed a contract with Verve Records and continued to create music until his final recording session on March 4, 1959, in Paris. Unfortunately, Young's life was cut short when he passed away on March 15, 1959, in New York, just one day after returning from his trip to Paris, due to complications related to cirrhosis.
