In 1934 a tenor saxophone jam session turned into one of the most famous cutting contests in the history of Jazz. A 25-year old new comer named Lester “Prez” Young had an all night jam session with the then undisputed king of the tenor saxophone, Coleman Hawkins. Both these musicians would later become Jazz icons and are now considered the fathers of the Jazz tenor saxophone. This cutting contest became so famous in Jazz lore that it was recreated in the 1996 Robert Altman film “Kansas City” where Lester Young was played by Joshua Redman, and Coleman Hawkins played by Craig Handy. Some accounts have Lester young stealing the crown that night and launching his subsequent career, but find out for yourself. Join Jazz Incognito as we relive this famous session by playing dueling 20 minutes sessions of Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, and the Kansas City Band for three hours.
Coleman Hawkins How Long, How Long Blues
Coleman Hawkins Hawkin's Barrel House
Coleman Hawkins My Blue Heaven
Coleman Hawkins One Hour
Coleman Hawkins It's Tight Like That
Coleman Hawkins Body and Soul
Lester Young Lester Leaps in
Lester Young Destination K.C.
Lester Young Lester Leaps again
Lester Young D.B. Blues
Lester Young Goin' to Chicago
Kansas City Band Yeah, Man
Kansas City Band Blues in the Dark
Kansas City Band Tickle Toe
Kansas City Band Queer Notions
Coleman Hawkins I love you
Coleman Hawkins Chant
Coleman Hawkins Rainbow Mist
Coleman Hawkins My blue heaven
Coleman Hawkins Stuffy
Coleman Hawkins That's Grand
Lester Young Ad Lib Blues
Lester Young Fast B-Flat Blues
Lester Young Gigantic Blues
Kansas City Band I left My Baby
Kansas City Band Lafayette
Kansas City Band Moten Swing
Kansas City Band St. Louis Blues
Coleman Hawkins Wrapped Tight
Coleman Hawkins Ruby My Dear
Coleman Hawkins The Jeep is Jumpin
Coleman Hawkins Mood Indigo
Lester Young Flic
Lester Young Lullaby at Birdland
Lester Young Mean to me
Lester Young I cover the water front
Jay Mcshann and His Orchestra Hootie Blues
Jay Mcshann and His Orchestra Confessin the Blues
Jay Mcshann and His Orchestra Vine Street Boogie
Jay Mcshann and His Orchestra Lonely Boy Blues
Jay Mcshann and His Orchestra Jumpin' Blues
Kansas City Band Solitude
Lester Young Me, Myself and I
Lester Young Time no My Hands
