The Jazz Giant

THE JEAN-PIERRE LELOIR COLLECTION

180 PRE VIRGIN VINYL LPs IN GATEFOLD PACKAGING

5 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Some of Lester Young’s sessions made in the mid-1950s found him in bad shape, due to a combination of personal problems and alcoholism that would prematurely end his life on March 15, 1959, at the age of 49. However, when producer Norman Granz had the brilliant idea of reuniting him with his old musical companions Roy Eldridge, Vic Dickenson, Teddy Wilson, Freddie Green, Gene Ramey, and Jo Jones, the result was a highly spirited and happy date that is presented here in its entirety.

PERSONNEL:

LESTER YOUNG, tenor sax
ROY ELDRIDGE, trumpet
VIC DICKENSON, trombone
TEDDY WILSON, piano
FREDDIE GREEN, guitar
GENE RAMEY, bass
JO JONES, drums
New York, January 12, 1956.

*BONUS TRACK: Same personnel except Eldridge, Dickenson & Green omitted. New York, January 13, 1956.

SIDE A:

01 I GUESS I’LL HAVE TO CHANGE MY PLAN
02 I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS
03 LOUISE (*)

SIDE B:

01 GIGANTIC BLUES
02 THIS YEAR’S KISSES
03 YOU CAN DEPEND ON ME