Lester Young: ‘The Prez’

NPR’s Tom Vitaleon TIn the 1930s, Lester Young — known as the “President of Jazz” or simply “The Prez” — led a revolution on the tenor saxophone that influenced generations to follow. He was Billie Holiday‘s favorite accompanist, and his robust tenor playing influenced everybody from Charlie Parker to Sonny Rollins. Young was famous for his porkpie hat and his hipster language, but he’ll always be remembered for his remarkable solos. Lester Young was born 100 years ago Thursday.