All Previous Inductees

Lester Young
(1909-1959)

Mississippi-born Lester Young was among jazz's greatest innovators, using his instrument, the tenor saxophone, to help establish a new and cooler jazz sound. A member of a musical family, Young played violin, trumpet and drums before taking up the tenor sax. Following brief sojourns with bands led by King Oliver and Fletcher Henderson, he came to the forefront in Kansas City with the first Count Basie band of the late 1930s. That group recorded a classic body of work for Decca and Columbia Records. Young recorded and performed with Billie Holiday, as well, and his tenor saxophone solos were a major ingredient in Holiday's artistic success. In the 1950s, Young freelanced and was a notable player in Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic tours and recordings. More than 40 years after his passing, Young's legend continues to burn bright.