Lester Leaps In
1939 single by Count Basie's Kansas City Seven
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Lester Leaps In" is a jazz standard originally recorded by Count Basie's Kansas City Seven in 1939.[1] The composition, credited to the group's tenor saxophone player Lester Young, is a contrafact based on the chord progression of "I Got Rhythm", and serves as a vehicle for interweaving solos by Young and Basie.
| "Lester Leaps In" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Count Basie's Kansas City Seven | |
| Released | 1939 |
| Recorded | September 5, 1939, New York City, NY |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Length | 3:12 |
| Label | Vocalion 5118 |
| Songwriter | Lester Young |
Eddie Jefferson, pioneer of vocalese, wrote lyrics for the composition, calling his version "I Got the Blues".[2]
Critical acclaim
Personnel (original 1939 recording)
- Count Basie - piano
- Lester Young - tenor saxophone
- Buck Clayton - trumpet
- Dicky Wells - trombone
- Freddie Green - guitar
- Walter Page - bass
- Jo Jones - drums
Other recordings
In 1960 Harry James released a version on his album Harry James...Today (MGM E-3848).
Charlie Watts Orchestra, 1986, Live at Fulham Town Hall
