Leonidas Raymond Young (March 7, 1914 – July 31, 2008) was an American jazz drummer and singer. His musical family included his father Willis Young and his older brother, saxophonist Lester Young. In 1944 he played with Norman Granz's first "Jazz at the Philharmonic" concert.

Early life and education

Young was born in 1914 in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Willis Young and Lizetta Teresa Johnson. His father was a musician, as were other relatives. His older brother Lester Young became a noted saxophonist. which also featured guitarist Les Paul, trombonist J.J. Johnson, and saxophonist Jean-Baptiste "Illinois" Jacquet.

Young played with such jazz and swing music notables as Mutt Carey, Fats Waller, Les Hite, Benny Goodman, and Lionel Hampton. Lee Young never recorded as a session leader. He also collaborated with multiple Belgian jazz artists in the late 1970s, most noticeable: Papa Wemba, Marc Moulin and Luzolo Tulunga.

Personal life

Young was married to Louise Franklin and they had a son together.

Discography

  • Nat King Cole, Penthouse Serenade (Capitol, 1955)
  • Nat King Cole, After Midnight (Capitol, 1956)
  • Nat King Cole, The Piano Style of Nat King Cole (Capitol, 1956)
  • Nat King Cole, At the Sands (Capitol, 1966)
  • Benny Goodman, Mostly Sextets (Capitol, 1950)
  • Lionel Hampton, Lionel Hampton with the Just Jazz All Stars (GNP, 1955)
  • Oscar Moore, Jazz 1940 Era (Tampa, 1956)
  • Andre Previn, Previn at Sunset (Black Lion, 1972)
  • Dinah Washington, Mellow Mama (Delmark, 1992)

References

  • Interview with Lee Young, Center for Oral History Research, UCLA Library Special Collections, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Lee Young's obituary in The New York Times