Bebop Jazz

Of all the jazz greats to come out of Kansas City Lester Young may convey the most emotion. Lester Young, or Prez as he was know by jazz fans, created tremendous excitement when he arrived on the New York scene with The Jay McShann Band. From the local press to the incomparable Billie Holiday New Yorkers knew that they were witnessing greatness. As documented in the book Kansas City Jazz Lester is his own man and even when playing with the giants of jazz he kept his distinct style.

In the golden era of jazz few musicians have matched the status the Prez had among his peers and few were more deserving.