Voting Station

Lester Young

Please vote to return to collections.

Musician

The Resume

    (August 27, 1909-March 15, 1959)
    Born in Woodville, Mississippi
    Tenor saxophonist
    Recorded with Count Basie, Billie Holiday and Nat 'King' Cole
    Recorded 'Lester Leaps In' with Jazz at the Philharmonic (1949)
    Appeared in the short film 'Jammin the Blues' (1944) and the TV special 'The Sound of Jazz' (1957)

Why he might be annoying:

    He talked in a hipster language to baffle outsiders.
    He reportedly was fired from Basie's band for refusing to play a gig on Friday the 13th (1940).
    He was court-martialed and dishonorably discharged from the army after marijuana and alcohol were found in his possession (1945).
    He was hospitalized after suffering a nervous breakdown (1955).
    Heavy drinking caused his playing to deteriorate.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was also an excellent clarinetist until his instrument was stolen in 1939.
    He gave Billie Holiday the nickname 'Lady Day' and she gave him the nickname 'Prez' (for 'President').
    He influenced both beboppers like Charlie Parker and cool jazz musicians like Stan Getz.
    Charles Mingus wrote 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' in tribute to him.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 17 Votes: 5.88% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 34 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 11 Votes: 27.27% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 16 Votes: 68.75% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 37 Votes: 56.76% Annoying