Young, Lester Willis definition of Young, Lester Willis in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Young, Lester Willis, 1909–59, American jazz musician, b. Woodville, Miss. He played the tenor saxophone with various bands (1929–40), including those of Fletcher Henderson Henderson, Fletcher (James Fletcher "Smack" Henderson), 1898–1952, American jazz composer, arranger, and pianist, b. Cuthbert, Ga. Henderson played piano from childhood.
..... Click the link for more information. and Count Basie Basie, Count (William Basie) (bā`sē), 1904–84, American jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer, b. Red Bank, N.J.
..... Click the link for more information. , with whom he first recorded in 1936. Young and Coleman Hawkins Hawkins, Coleman, 1904–69, American jazz musician, b. St. Joseph, Mo. He began playing saxophone at the age of 9. He was part of Fletcher Henderson 's band from 1924 until 1934. Hawkins established the tenor saxophone as a major jazz instrument.
..... Click the link for more information. are considered the major influences on tenor-saxophone playing, and Young's style was important in the development of progressive, or cool, jazz, which arose in the late 1940s. He won several jazz polls and made a number of records, including a series with Billie Holiday Holiday, Billie, 1915–59, American singer, b. Baltimore. Her original name was Eleanora Fagan. She began singing professionally in 1930, and after performing with numerous bands—especially those of Benny Goodman, Teddy Wilson, Count Basie, and Artie
..... Click the link for more information. , who gave him his nickname, "President," later shortened to "Pres" or "Prez."