Jazz and freedom are very closely linked. No Al Gore claims to have invented jazz! Jelly Roll Morton did, but that’s another story. I’ve quoted tenor saxophonist Lester Young before: “What you do is your business. What I do is my business.” He also spoke up for developing an individual style. Known as “Prez,” Young first was influenced by Frankie Trumbauer who played a C-melody sax and cut many sides with Bix. In turn, Young’s cool style influenced many players like Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Charlie Parker, Zoot Sims, Warne Marsh, and Gerry Mulligan. In the 1930s, Young hit one … Continue reading Jazz Birthday: Lester Young (1909)