Lester Young Solo

Lester Young Solo Transcription

Here’s one of Lester Young’s earliest solos, recorded with the Count Basie Orchestra on January 21, 1937, in New York, for the Decca record label. It’s a fantastic example of his exuberant early style and his rhythmic innovations. Note, for example, in bars 11-13 how he phrases in groups of three against the 4/4 time. Nobody ever swung harder!

Download transcription
Lester’s solo on Honeysuckle Rose (Bb)