Jazz Man, Nearing 100, Pauses

[mjzee]

Les Lieber, who will turn 100 on March 16, has enjoyed a career that spans the entire history of jazz. In 1926, at 14, he was among the first musicians in his native St. Louis to play a newfangled instrument, the saxophone, on a newfangled medium, radio. And he has few rivals for the title of jazz's greatest pennywhistle soloist.

Mr. Lieber still plays both instruments every day. And he still appears each week at Jazz at Noon, the performance series he launched 47 years ago as a way for avid, nonprofessional players to play with real jazz pros. Since 1965, Jazz at Noon—which currently meets every Friday at the Players Club on Gramercy Park South—has occupied some 20 restaurants, night clubs and other venues.

More here:

WSJ

Another fascinating life in jazz. And look for the Django mention.