Lester Young News

What does it mean when we say someone is cool? Cool carries a social charge of rebellious self-expression, charisma, edge and mystery. “American Cool” will feature 100 photographs of icons who have contributed an original artistic vision to American culture and are symbolic figures of their time. The exhibition will be open at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery Feb. 7 through Sept. 7.

Legendary drummer and NEA Jazz Master Foreststorn 'Chico' Hamilton died on Monday, November 25, 2013, in New York City at the age of 92.

The 56th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival wrapped up Sunday, September 22 after an outstanding weekend of exceptional performances by debut artists, returning masters and new favorites. Despite rain on Saturday, September 21, 35,000 fans came through the gates of the Monterey County Fairgrounds during the weekend of September 20-22, which featured music from around the globe, and from all styles of classic and modern jazz, Latin, gospel, New Orleans, and funk, with historic conversations, three different films, and comprehensive exhibits.

Perry Beekman sings and plays Cole Porter today, October 4th at 9:30 pm at The Metropolitan Room.

The Count Basie Orchestra and All That Music Productions, LLC, is pleased to announce the appointment of Scotty Barnhart as the new Director of The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra. He follows Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Grover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, and Dennis Mackrel in leading one of the greatest and most important jazz orchestras in history. Founded in 1935 by pianist William James Basie (1904-1984), the orchestra still tours the world today and is presently ending a two-week tour in Japan. The orchestra has released hundreds of recordings, won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, has appeared in movies, television shows and commercials, Presidential Inaugurals, and has won 18 Grammy Awards, the most for any jazz orchestra. Many of its former members are some of the most important soloists, vocalists, composers, and arrangers in jazz history. That list includes Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jo Jones, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Thad Jones, Joe Williams, Sonny Payne, Snooky Young, Al Grey, John Clayton, Dennis Mackrel and others.

THE LIGHTNING CHILD by Che Walker and Arthur Darvill runs now through 12 October 2013 as Shakespeare's Globe's first-ever musical. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in the photos below!

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem has added a slew of new events with Jonathan Batiste. Below you will find the entire calendar of events for September with three new Jazz Is:Now! additions. The museum is also happy to announce that Greg Thomas will host next Tuesday's 'Words on Bird' event accompanied by pianst Chris Pattishall.

Perry Beekman sings and plays Cole Porter on Friday, October 4th at 9:30 pm at The Metropolitan Room.

On Sunday, January 16, 1938 the world of Jazz and Swing changed forever. On Sunday, September 22, 2013 The Capital Jazz Orchestra and New York City clarinet virtuoso Ken Peplowski will salute the 75rd anniversary of this momentous concert…recreating that very show, to the minute! Benny Goodman's 1938 show at Carnegie Hall in New York has been billed as the world's most famous jazz concert, a ground-breaking event that brought jazz into the mainstream. The concert featured such swing icons as Lionel Hampton, Harry James, Gene Krupa, Count Basie, Lester Young and Johnny Hodges and included such timeless jazz classics as "Don't Be That Way," "Avalon," and the iconic swing performance of "Sing, Sing, Sing."

For his first CD as a leader, Perry has selected one of the most beloved and prolific of these composers, Cole Porter, for SO IN LOVE - PERRY BEEKMAN SINGS AND PLAYS COLE PORTER. Accompanied by the remarkably empathetic paring of Peter Tomlinson and Lou Pappas on piano and bass respectively, Perry has selected 15 wonderful Porter songs, all but one culled from Broadway musicals made immortal by Porter's genius.

For his first CD as a leader, Perry has selected one of the most beloved and prolific of these composers, Cole Porter, for SO IN LOVE - PERRY BEEKMAN SINGS AND PLAYS COLE PORTER. Accompanied by the remarkably empathetic paring of Peter Tomlinson and Lou Pappas on piano and bass respectively, Perry has selected 15 wonderful Porter songs, all but one culled from Broadway musicals made immortal by Porter's genius.

For his first CD as a leader, Perry has selected one of the most beloved and prolific of these composers, Cole Porter, for SO IN LOVE - PERRY BEEKMAN SINGS AND PLAYS COLE PORTER. Accompanied by the remarkably empathetic paring of Peter Tomlinson and Lou Pappas on piano and bass respectively, Perry has selected 15 wonderful Porter songs, all but one culled from Broadway musicals made immortal by Porter's genius.

From the time of his Jazz Epiphany - upon hearing "jazz guitar pioneer Charlie Christian, and the classic recordings of Billie Holiday and Lester Young" - at the age of 15, outstanding guitarist/vocalist Perry Beekman has committed himself to the classic traditions of jazz, particularly by means of the Great American Songbook.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54thStreet, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launched its series of late night events. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher is the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - 'The Callback," and more:

Billie Holiday and saxophonist Lester Young recorded such achingly beautiful music together it was impossible for many to believe that they were not lovers….or were they? This magical and moving play explores their enigmatic relationship through some of their own words and the stunning songs they chose to record together. We follow their journey through jazz from the moment they first met until their untimely deaths. Friends? Soul-mates? Lovers? The answer is in their music.

Billie Holiday and saxophonist Lester Young recorded such achingly beautiful music together it was impossible for many to believe that they were not lovers….or were they? This magical and moving play explores their enigmatic relationship through some of their own words and the stunning songs they chose to record together. We follow their journey through jazz from the moment they first met until their untimely deaths. Friends? Soul-mates? Lovers? The answer is in their music.

The 54 Below WBGO Jazz Series will feature weekly Tuesday evening shows by jazz artists curated by the famed veteran Jazz programmer, Todd Barkan. Just around the corner from Swing Street, these seasoned jazz performers come to Broadway's Nightclub to play and sing the night away in grand style. The series is sponsored by the WBGO, the country's premier jazz radio station, promising a truly classic only-in-New York experience.

The 54 Below WBGO Jazz Series will feature weekly Tuesday evening shows by jazz artists. Just around the corner from Swing Street, these seasoned jazz performers come to Broadway's Nightclub to play and sing the night away in grand style. Whether you're a long time jazz buff or new to the genre, this series, sponsored by the country's premier jazz radio station, promises a truly classic only-in-New York experience.

You don't have to go far to experience the ambience of New York City's iconic Birdland Jazz Club, when Live at Birdland, featuring the Birdland Big Band directed by Tommy Igoe, appears in Jorgensen's award-winning Cabaret on Thursday, January 31, at 7:30 p.m. The audience will be transported back to a time when a number of illustrious jazz musicians, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, and Lester Young, to name just a few, made Birdland their New York home.

On January 16, 1938, the Benny Goodman Orchestra set a new precedent for jazz performances by performing at Carnegie Hall. Up until then, jazz was traditionally heard in clubs. Furthermore, the concert broke new ground for racial equality by being one of the first such presentations in a "highbrow" concert hall to feature a racially integrated band. From January 15th to January 20th, the Blue Note will bring the world of jazz orchestras back to the club with the music of Benny Goodman's immortal Carnegie Hall Concert.