Lester Young

About

Influential jazz saxophonist called "The President" by Billie Holliday and who created the West Coast cool style.

Before Fame

He was rejected from military service due to a diagnosed addiction to drugs and alcohol, as well as his "nomadism."

Trivia

He has had influence far outside of jazz; his speaking and dressing style and every mannerism was imitated. He might have even inspired the term "cool" to mean fashionable.

Family Life

He was born in Woodville, Mississippi and grew up near New Orleans, which influenced his style.

Associated With

Legendary jazzmen like Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, and John Coltrane all cited Young as a major influence on their work.