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Coleman Hawkins

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #75: Blue Lester

08.08.2011 by Chris

Beside Coleman Hawkins (Song of the Week #52) another tenor saxophonist is regarded as one of the most influential saxophonist of the jazz era: Lester Wills Young (27.08.1909-25.03.1959), nicknamed “Prez” or “Pres” (from president) by Billie Holiday.

Lester Young came to prominence while a member of Count Basie's Orchestra. His characteristic light sound and elegant way of playing stood in complete contrast to Coleman Hawkins's more powerful approach of playing the instrument.

Blue Lester (also know as Lester's Blues) is a slow swinging song and especially suitable for beginner Lindy Hop dancers.


DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #75: Blue Lester by Lester YoungTitle: Blue Lester
Artist: Lester Young
Recorded: 1944
Tempo: 120 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop



Click the link to buy the song (mp3/mp4a) at
Amazon


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Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“. Sign up for the weekly blog update by email and get the newest edition directly in your inbox.

Related posts:
Song of the Week #52: “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” by Coleman Hawkins
Song of the Week #74: “Black Coffee” by Careless Lovers
Song of the Week #73: “Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai” by Andy Iona And His Islanders
Song of the Week #72: “Lafayette” by Hot Lips Page
Song of the Week #71: “Bearcat Shuffle” by Andy Kirk

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, DJ Chrisbe, Lester Young, Lindy Hop, Swing

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #52: On The Sunny Side Of The Street

28.02.2011 by Chris

Wow guys, it's been almost one crazy year now when I started this series.

I had no idea if I could keep up with… yes, I'm proud! And I'm pretty sure there will be at least one more year with an ongoing Song of the Week on Mondays :-)!

Coleman Hawkins 1947 - Photo by William P. Gottlieb

So, for the last song of the first year, I have chosen the standard “On The Sunny Side of the Street“, recorded by Coleman Hawkins in 1944 – not to be confused with earlier versions by Hawkins, which all are shorter.

Scott Yanow describes Hawkins as follows on allmusic.com: “Coleman Hawkins was the first important tenor saxophonist and he remains one of the greatest of all time.

A consistently modern improviser whose knowledge of chords and harmonies was encyclopedic, Hawkins had a 40-year prime (1925-1965) during which he could hold his own with any competitor.”

Did you know? In the 30s, Hawkins spent some years in Europe. For me especially interesting:

During that time, he stayed for a longer time in Switzerland, where he played a session in May 1936 with Ernst Höllerhagen and the Berries (with Hawkins as vocalist!).

There are several reasons, why I love this song:

  • the solidly swinging rhythm section, which is never too loud
  • the humming sound of the saxes in the background creating kind of a curtain
  • the beautiful sax lines by the different soloists, very soulful
  • the piano solo in the middle of the song
  • and of course the outstanding solo by Hawkins at the end

What about you?

Coleman Hawkins 1944

Title: On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Artist: Coleman Hawkins & His Sax Ensemble
Recorded: 24.5.1944
Tempo: 124 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon

You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist. Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

Do you like the “Song of the Week” series? Share your thoughts below.

Now Check Out:

  • Song of the Week #51: “Jack, I'm Mellow” by Trixie Smith
  • Song of the Week #50: “My Blue Heaven” by The Cangelosi Cards
  • Song of the Week #49: “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen” by Gordon Webster

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Coleman Hawkins, DJ Chrisbe, Lindy Hop

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Welcome, I'm Christian Bossert. Since 1999, I‘ve been passionate about Swing dances as well as their culture and history. I‘m a Swing dance instructor and international Swing DJ Chrisbe, based in Zurich Switzerland. Read More…

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