Lester in Paris - His last days

In January 1959, Lester Young was in Paris for a series of gigs at the Cellar Club on rue de D'Artois, the Blue Note Café. His band mates included: Rene Urtreger (p), Kenny Clarke (d), Jimmy Gourley (g), and Pierre Michelot (b). On February 6th he meets with with jazz journalist François Postif for an interview. These two events come together in this work in progress, "President of Beauty: the Triumph & Tragedy of Lester Young." Pres recorded "I can't get started" at Eddie Barclay's Studio on March 4, 1959. After the recording he returns to his Manhattan hotel room overlooking Birdland and at 3:00am on March 15th, the man whose breath blew life into a million "stories" drew his last.
This film sketch was put together by filmmaker Henry Ferrini to help raise funds for his ongoing film project about Lester.

[@cedric9839]

Lester was always in a different world, where he heard angels sing.

[@realchords8999]

i love him, his sound, his soul. his swing. I just love him.

[@elainawashington6659]

Lester was the man ya dig

[@Rayo_Rob_No.17]

There was no hate in his music.
So true, one can't listen to Prez and feel hate. Irregardless of the social and racial tensions of his era, he wasn't a racist. He was disappointed racism existed, and he was just a cool, mellow tenor man. Who played from the bowls of his soul.
What a guy, missed his era, but glad we have his recordings. What a gift to leave to the world of music.
Nice clip, I enjoyed it very much.

[@FerriniProductions]

Dear 35GEmonitorT, Yes, I'm making a documentary on Lester's life. If you are interested you can see much more at lester.lives.workpress.com

[@joserode8296]

35GEmonitorT You've right. Je suis un passionné de Lester, je ne puis me passer
d'écouter sa musique, il nous donne tellement de beauté. I miss very much
Lady Lester.

[@jazzmanchgo]

"You fight for your life, 'til death do we part . . . you got it made."

[@dbone1110]

Very nicely done, awesome craftsmanship - Best of Luck on your productions ✌️

[@GloucesterWriters]

Thanks for commenting Dbone. I Hope you get to see it this year. Just remember www.lesterlives.com to find out more when. My best, Henry

[@vestibulate]

"Seeing is believing, and hearing is a bitch." Lester Young

[@paulgentile1024]

this cat is so hip.. i love his music

[@pgroove163]

sure is a different Paris when Lester was last there....

[@2mikelim]

Hi. Was Lester's last Verve LP recorded in stereo, since it was 1959?

[@rayvaughn5546]

What is this song Lester is playing?

[@pgroove163]

2:06...... 🎷

[@johnf.hebert1409]

Seeing is believing and hearing is a bitch thats a sound.

[@writerrad]

Not much commentary on how and why Pres was gone at such a young age, the abuse he inflicted on himself that took him from us so young and early.

[@FerriniProductions]

Tony, I believe the forces that faced Lester resulted in his brief stay on the planet. #1 and foremost, the dominant culture serving up racial atrocities, injustice and cruelty to Americans of African decent. #2. His physical and psychological abuse from the US Army. #3. A grueling life as an itinerant musician, playing one night stands for 30 years. #4 Bad nutrition. #5 No health care. #6 Alcoholism. #7 Syphilis. With all this weight his body had to withstand it is a miracle that he lived till 49 years of age and with all the BS....still.....PREZ LIVES.