Lester Young was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He ranks together with a and a as one of the three "great tenors" of the the swing era. Occasionally, he was known to also play the clarinet.
Brother of jazz drummer Lee Young.
Played in the Count Basie Orchestra.
Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.
He gave Billie Holiday her nickname of "Lady Day". In return, she dubbed him "Prez" (short for the "President").
Charles Mingus song "Goodbye, Porkpie Hat" is dedicated to him.
