Leonidas Raymond Young (March 7, 1914 – July 31, 2008) was an American jazz drummer and singer.[1] His musical family included his father Willis Young and his older brother, saxophonist Lester Young. In 1944 he played with Norman Granz's first "Jazz at the Philharmonic" concert.

Early life and education

Young was born in 1914 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Willis Young and Lizetta Teresa Johnson. His father was a musician, as were other relatives. His older brother Lester Young became a famed saxophonist. Lee began playing from an early age and the family had a band for several years.[1]

Career

In 1944 Lee Young was the drummer at Norman Granz's first "Jazz at the Philharmonic" concert,[2] which also featured guitarist Les Paul, trombonist J.J. Johnson, and saxophonist Jean-Baptiste "Illinois" Jacquet.

Young played with such jazz and swing music notables as Mutt Carey, Fats Waller, Les Hite, Benny Goodman, and Lionel Hampton. In the 1950s Young played with Nat King Cole's trio. From the 1960s on, he worked as an artist & repertory man for such record labels as Vee-Jay and Motown.[3] Lee Young never recorded as a session leader.

Personal life

Young was married to Louise Franklin[4] and they had a son together.[5]

Discography

  • Nat King Cole, Penthouse Serenade (Capitol, 1955)
  • Nat King Cole, After Midnight (Capitol, 1956)
  • Nat King Cole, The Piano Style of Nat King Cole (Capitol, 1956)
  • Nat King Cole, At the Sands (Capitol, 1966)
  • Benny Goodman, Mostly Sextets (Capitol, 1950)
  • Lionel Hampton, Lionel Hampton with the Just Jazz All Stars (GNP, 1955)
  • Oscar Moore, Jazz 1940 Era (Tampa, 1956)
  • Andre Previn, Previn at Sunset (Black Lion, 1972)
  • Dinah Washington, Mellow Mama (Delmark, 1992)

Notes

  1. 1 2 Marl Young; Bryant, Clora; Buddy Collete; Green, William A.; Isoardi, Steven Louis; Jack Kelson; Tapscott, Horace; Wilson, Gerald Henry (1999). Central Avenue Sounds: Jazz in Los Angeles (Roth Family Foundation Book in American Music). Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 51. ISBN 0-520-22098-6.
  2. ↑ Marl Young; Bryant, Clora; Buddy Collete; Green, William A.; Isoardi, Steven Louis; Jack Kelson; Tapscott, Horace; Wilson, Gerald Henry (1999). Central Avenue Sounds: Jazz in Los Angeles (Roth Family Foundation Book in American Music). Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 63. ISBN 0-520-22098-6.
  3. ↑ Vacher, Peter (2008-08-22). "Obituary: Lee Young". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  4. ↑ Rowe, Billy (November 4, 1944). "Billy Rowe's Notebook". The Pittsburgh Courier. Retrieved August 19, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Gipson, Gertrude (October 23, 1947). "Cannin' The News Ticker Tape". California Eagle. Retrieved August 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.


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