Although throughout the history of jazz there has been a large number of incredibly talented saxophone players, it is a well accepted fact among jazz scholars that three of the most important to the evolution of jazz saxophone were Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and Charlie Parker, in that order.
Lester Young bridged the gap between the early jazz improvisations of Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Parker and the bebop revolution. Coleman Hawkins was considered the King of the tenor saxophone players during the early Swing era with his big tone and mastery of chordal improvisation. Lester Young arrived on the jazz scene with a totally new approach.
Mr. Cool
Lester Young rose to prominence out of Kansas City, during its musical boom years, while playing in the Count Basie big band. His tone was very relaxed and soft sounding, and he played in a very lyrical fashion with phrasing that was unorthodox at the time. His approach to improvisation was linear - he would play across the bar lines melodically instead playing up and down the chords like Hawkins tended to do.
Lester Young bridged the gap between the early jazz improvisations of Coleman Hawkins and Charlie Parker and the bebop revolution. Coleman Hawkins was considered the King of the tenor saxophone players during the early Swing era with his big tone and mastery of chordal improvisation. Lester Young arrived on the jazz scene with a totally new approach.
Mr. Cool
Lester Young rose to prominence out of Kansas City, during its musical boom years, while playing in the Count Basie big band. His tone was very relaxed and soft sounding, and he played in a very lyrical fashion with phrasing that was unorthodox at the time. His approach to improvisation was linear - he would play across the bar lines melodically instead playing up and down the chords like Hawkins tended to do.