I have always been a Coleman Hawkins girl. One of the greatest Tenor sax players to ever live, Coleman Hawkins is my absolute favorite artist of all-time. I will do a special podcast and post about him (probably several!). I write this because Coleman Hawkins had somewhat of a playful rivalry with another great Tenor sax player, Lester Young. The two were very different from each other, musically, and personality-wise as well. Coleman Hawkins was older than Lester Young, had lived in Europe touring for many years, was known to be bossy and confident, known for his deep, warm, hard-driving sound on his horn. The sound of elegance, of excellence, of the one and only Coleman Hawkins. Lester Young came along and defined himself with a lighter, breezier, tone, and would come to influence a generation of tenor sax players after him. He was known to be introverted, kind, and gentle.
Because of my deep love for Coleman Hawkins, I wasn’t open to the music of Lester Young. I would hear him play, and yet I couldn’t feel an emotional connection with the music. I was prejudiced and closed-off. However, all of that changed in the past week. I listened to a lot of Oscar Peterson the past week (because everything he touches is always perfect) and in the course of my study, landed on this album: “The President Plays with the Oscar Peterson Trio.” Maybe it is the fact that this year, my heart is more open. Maybe I am more open. It was sometime last week, when I had a revelation: I heard the music of Lester Young, and I felt it deeply. I finally got Lester Young, and I swooned. I let the light, breathless tone, the joy, the heaven-sent gossamer sound wash over me, and I fell hard and fast. When Lester Young plays, it is like he dances on clouds with his horn. Although Coleman Hawkins will always be my #1, I now love Lester Young, too.
“Sometimes the most beautiful thing is precisely the one that comes unexpectedly and unearned, hence something given truly as a present.”
Anna Freud
So, my heart feels very full this Hanukkah. I am grateful for my health and the breath in body, and I am grateful for the Divine Grace which brought me Lester Young to soothe, nurture, and uplift me during this season. His music is a balm for my soul, and I hope for yours, too. Here are two groovy selections from “The President Plays With the Oscar Peterson Trio,” recorded in June and August of 1952 in New York City, and released in 1954. Pay attention to what thoughts, feelings, and emotions come up as YOU listen to the jazz. What do you experience?
“Just You, Just Me”: I would put this song in the category of Emotional Elevation (To feel better) and Emotional Galvinization (to inspire to take action) since I felt like dancing and being in joy!
“(It Takes) Two to Tango”: I would put this song in the category of Emotional Elevation (to feel better) and Emotional Innovation (To experience something new)
On this track, we hear Lester Young sing! and play the horn! And we also hear a humorous interlude between producer and jazz impresario Norman Granz, accompanied by the jubilant piano music of Oscar Peterson. Mid-song, the music stops, and we hear Norman Granz telling Lester Young to play it again with “the funky intro.” Without missing a beat, Lester cheekily retorts “A funky intro? There are ladies out here!” To which a taken-aback Norman replies “Huh?” and then gives a little guffaw. I’ve listened to this song dozens of times now and I can’t get enough, and I can’t stop laughing. Lester Young can play, and he’s also got charisma and class for days…
May Jazz Therapy Soothe Your Soul. I will be back shortly with a new podcast and New Year’s Post! Leave a comment. Happy New Year and Thank you for being here!
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