Lester Willis Young

Lester Willis Young 1909-59, American jazz musician, b. Woodville, Miss. He played the tenor saxophone with various bands (1929-40), including those of Fletcher Henderson and Count Basie , with whom he first recorded in 1936. Young and Coleman Hawkins are considered the major influences on tenor-saxophone playing, and Young's style was important in the development of progressive, or cool, jazz, which arose in the late 1940s. He won several jazz polls and made a number of records, including a series with Billie Holiday , who gave him his nickname, "President," later shortened to "Pres" or "Prez."

Bibliography: See biography by D. Gelly (2007).

Young, Lester Willis (1909–59) US jazz saxophonist. A major influence on be-bop music, with his characteristically cool and melodious improvisations, ‘Prez’ made his name playing tenor saxophone with Count Basie. He also played with Benny Goodman and Dizzy Gillespie. Charlie Mingus wrote “Goodbye, Pork Pie Hat” in memory of Young.