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Lester Leaps In

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Wikipedia article




"'Lester Leaps In'" is a jazz standard originally recorded by Count Basie's Kansas City Seven in 1939.Brian Rust, [http://www.mainspringpress.com/book_rust.html 'Jazz and Ragtime Records, 1897-1942'] , [http://www.mainspringpress.com/ Mainspring Press], 2008. The composition, credited to the group's tenor saxophone player Lester Young, is a head arrangement based on the chord progression of "I Got Rhythm", and serves as a vehicle for interweaving solos by Young and Basie.

Eddie Jefferson, pioneer of vocalese, wrote lyrics for the composition, calling his version "I Got the Blues".[http://www.jazzstandards.com/compositions-2/lesterleapsin.htm "Lester Leaps In (1940)"], JazzStandards.com.

Critical acclaim



*"Lester Leaps In" is listed among the Milestone Recordings in American Music at the Three Perfect Minutes site.[http://www.threeperfectminutes.com/2010/10/lester-leaps-in-1939.html "Lester Leaps In (1939)"], at [http://www.threeperfectminutes.com/p/notes.html Three Perfect Minutes], retrieved 2013-10-23.

*jazz.com gives "Lester Leaps In" a 98, on a scale of 100 – "Classic performance. A 'must have' for jazz fans."[http://www.jazz.com/music/lester-young-lester-leaps-in-1939 Lester Leaps In (1939)] , at [http://www.jazz.com/ jazz.com] , retrieved 2013-10-23.

Personnel (original 1939 recording)



* Count Basie - piano

* Lester Young - tenor saxophone

* Buck Clayton - trumpet

* Dicky Wells - trombone

* Freddie Green - guitar

* Walter Page - bass

* Jo Jones - drums

Other recordings



In 1960 Harry James released a version on his album 'Harry James...Today' (MGM E-3848).

References



Category:Songs about jazz

Category:Songs about musicians

Category:Cultural depictions of jazz musicians

Category:Count Basie

Category:1930s jazz standards

Category:1939 songs


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