Kansas City Sax: Complete Kansas City Master Takes

Personnel includes: Lester Young (saxophone); Buck Clayton, Dickie Wells, Freddie Green, Jo Jones, Bill Coleman, Joe Bushkin.
Personnel: Lester Young (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Sylvia Sims (vocals); Eddie Durham (guitar, trombone); Freddie Green (guitar); Lucky Thompson (tenor saxophone); Buck Clayton (trumpet); Dicky Wells (trombone); Count Basie, Joe Bushkin, Sammy Benskin (piano); Jo Jones , Shadow Wilson (drums).
Recording information: Carnegie Hall, New York, NY (09/28/1938-05/07/1945); New York, NY (09/28/1938-05/07/1945).
Jasmine Records has assembled selections from Lester Young's formative and defining years on the Kansas City jazz scene in this 20-track edition. This is where Pres got his nickname, and where the young, brash Charlie Parker tried to cut him on the stand and lost. Young was a member of the legendary Kansas City Seven between 1938 and 1945, and this disc offers a fine portrait of what a formidable band it was, with guitarist Freddie Green and Count Basie also in the ranks. The sound is more than acceptable, and showcases how Young, even when trying to be a good soldier, stood out from the pack on his horn -- check the solos in "After Theater Jump," "I Got Rhythm," and the killer original master of "Lester Leaps In." ~ Thom Jurek