Lester Young - Lester Leaps In: Live At Birdland 1951 - 1952 [LP]

Release Date: November 28, 2025
Label: Liberation Hall

This never-before-released set captures one of the most influential tenor saxophonists of all time, live at NYC’s iconic jazz venue Birdland. It features eight tracks recorded on four different dates in 1951 and 1952 for ABC Radio’s infamous “Jumpin with Symphony Sid”program. Host Sid Torin introduces several of the tracks, one of which, “Neenah,” includes a shoutout to audience member Billie Holiday who originated the bebop legend's nickname “Prez” (for “President of the Tenor Sax”). The backing bands feature pianists John Lewis, Cyril Haynes, and Earl Knight; percussionists “Papa” Jo Jones and Lee Abrams; bassist Gene Ramey; and trumpeter Jesse Drakes. The album will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl and features rare photos with extensive liner notes from jazz historian Scott Yanow. It comes to record stores first on November 28 as part of RSD Black Friday.