Lester Young
FameRank: 6

"Lester Willis Young", nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", was an United States/American jazz tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist.

Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie's orchestra, Young was one of the most influential players on his instrument. In contrast to many of his hard-driving peers, Young played with a relaxed, cool tone and used sophisticated harmonies, using "a free-floating style, wheeling and diving like a gull, banking with low, funky riffs that pleased dancers and listeners alike".

Known for his hip, introverted style, he invented or popularized much of the Hipster (1940s subculture)/hipster jargon which came to be associated with the music.

More Lester Young on Wikipedia.

The trouble with most musicians today is that they are copycats. Of course you have to start out playing like someone else. You have a model, or a teacher, and you learn all that he can show you. But then you start playing for yourself. Show them that you're an individual. And I can count those who are doing that today on the fingers of one hand.

Due to the uncertainties, and the [new] special education [charges], we decided not to.