Lester Leaps In
"Lester Leaps In" is a jazz standard originally recorded by Count Basie's Kansas City Seven in 1939. 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.
Eddie Jefferson, pioneer of vocalese, wrote lyrics for the composition, calling his version "I Got the Blues".
Critical acclaim
- "Lester Leaps In" is listed among the Milestone Recordings in American Music at the Three Perfect Minutes site.
- jazz.com gives "Lester Leaps In" a 98, on a scale of 100 - "Classic performance. A 'must have' for jazz fans."
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.Charlie Watts Orchestra, 1986, Live at Fulham Town Hall